Innovative and novel manufacturing methods of ceramics and metal-ceramic composites for biomedical applications

Recently, the so-called freeze-foaming method, for achieving open porous and mainly interconnected foam structures, was combined with the Additive Manufacturing technique Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing which provides personalized and complex 3D structures. After a co-sintering step, composite structures, combining the advantages of dense and porous features in one single part were achieved. These novel potential bone replacement structures might serve as possible next-generation bioceramics/-composites used for personalized implants which, additionally, allow a structural adaption according to the customer's needs. In other current projects, metal-ceramic composites were obtained by tape-casting technologies and reshaping methods like lamination and deep drawing. After final co-sintering demonstrators of a bipolar scissor and a miniature button-sized device for medical application were developed. These composites provide biocompatible and isolating properties given by zirconia and at the same time, conductive properties given by steel layers. Thus, they are applicable to prevent bleedings and initiate a localized tissue vaporization respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.