The research project titled ”Installation for the Obtainment of Light Biocompatible High-Purity Alloys through Levitation in an Inert Atmosphere – BIOLEV” is proposed by an interdisciplinary team, formed by the coordinator of AAGES SA Sângeorgiu de Mureș, P1 – Polytechnic University of Bucharest and P2 – University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tg. Mureș, which has the aim of developing a flexible equipment for melting and thermal treatment in an induction field of the light biocompatible alloys, in high-purity conditions. The consortium is extremely well-balanced: AAGES SA is a well-known company, both nationally and internationally in the domain of electrotechnical equipment production; Partner 1, with the team it is represented by, is also well-known both in the country and internationally (local and international contracts, published books and specialized articles) in the domain of development and description of metallic materials; UMF Târgu Mureș is a renowned institution in the academic and research field, with numerous scientific achievements.
The project implementation will be run and coordinated by the following team of specialists:
The general purpose of the project is the development and production of an installation for the obtainment of light biocompatible high-purity alloys, through electromagnetic levitation in an argon inert atmosphere. The functionality of the installation will be also verified through tests and through the attempt to obtain a class of light biocompatible alloys from the Mg-Ca alloy system, which can be used for bioresorbable implants. Therewith, the exploitation of the results is pursued by implementing the innovative solution in production for the applicant, for distribution on the internal or external market, considering the applicant’s commercial relationships and prestige (over 75% of the equipment production is for export). The intellectual property rights over the results will be protected by invention patent and the partners will specify exactly each part’s participation percentage and the conditions of the technological transfer of the results in a collaboration agreement that will be issued before the project start.
Project objectives:
Phase I. The designing of the installation for the obtainment of light metallic alloys through levitation. Carrying out research regarding the characteristics and the applicability of the biocompatible high-purity alloys from the Mg-Ca system.
Phase II. The production of the melting installation through levitation, the obtainment and the description of the light high-purity alloys from the Mg-Ca system.
Phase III. The demonstration of the functionality of the new installation and technology for melting through levitation of the biocompatible high-purity alloys. Dissemination of the results.
Estimated results:
Project objectives:
Phase I.
Activity 1 – Research report regarding the features of the biocompatible high-purity alloys from the Mg-Ca system
Activity 2 – Research report regarding the applicability of the biocompatible high-purity alloys from the Mg-Ca system
Activity 3 – Assignment workbook for the installation for processing through levitation
Activity 4 – Production project of the installation for the obtainment through levitation of light metallic alloys
Activity 5 – Webpage development
Phase II.
The construction of the levitation melting installation, the obtainment and description of the light high-purity alloys from the Mg-Ca system
Activity 2.2 – Industrial research carried out by the coordinator of AAGES S.A. from Sângeorgiu de Mureș
An experiment of levitation melting was carried out and the light metals obtained were cast into molds.
The geometry of the inductor was optimised, in order to be adequate for melting magnesium alloys.
The parameters of the levitation melting PROTOTYPE were set.
Considering the innovative aspect of the project and the established working conditions, the need to build a SUPPORT STAND was identified, auxiliary to the levitation melting installation, geared with the equipment, machines and instruments specific for the research theme.
Activity 2.7 – The dissemination of the results on a large scale, through communication and national and international publication by Partener P1 – Polytechnic University of Bucharest
The partial results were included in the published work ”Designing and obtaining of new metallic alloys”, by prof. Dr. Engr. Victor GEANTĂ, on Day of Macedonian Metallurgists in Skopje, on 7 May 2017.
The presentation in extension of the work can be found here: http://biolev.aages.ro/Designing-and-obtaining-of-new-metallic-alloys-sm.pdf
Phase III.
Demonstration of the new equipment functionality and the melting technology by levitation of the high purity bio-compatible alloys
Activity 3.1 – Functionality demonstration of the new processing installation by levitation. The adjustment of the electrical, mechanical and control parameters.
The PROTOTYPE of the melting installation had been executed by the levitation of the high purity light alloys at the following functional parameters:
The melting installation prototype had been put into operation in ERAMET laboratory – Laboratory for metallic materials smelting and refining, situated within Politehnica University of Bucharest,
Faculty of Science and Materials Engineering.
The installation had been tested and there were performed functional and constructive improvements.
Optimized technical solution for argon atmospheric formation
Exhaust system of the burnt gases
Activity 3.2 – Testing of the response to biodegradability of the new types of high purity alloys from Mg-Ca system.
They have been prepared samples in order to accomplish the bio-compatibility and bio-degradability analyses.
Alloy sample from the small pot after 24h of incubation with the celullar culture environment.
Isolated stem mesenchymal cells from bone tissue, cultivated in vitro in the presence of magnesium alloys for biocompatibility assesment
Activity 3.5 – Workshop attendance for results dissemination. Articles publishing
CONCLUSIONS
