23rd April 2021 9:50 am 23rd April 2021 9:57 am
Engineers at Leeds University and Imperial College London have developed a load-bearing material that mimics human cartilage.
Researchers believe the new material could be used for a wide range of engineering purposes, including the potential for a new generation of lightweight bearings.
Cartilage a soft fibrous tissue found around joints that provides protection from compressive loading generated by walking, running or lifting is a bi-phasic porous material that exists in solid and fluid phases. It switches to its fluid phase by absorbing synovial fluid, a viscous substance produced in the joints.
This fluid lubricates the joints and when held in the porous matrix of the cartilage also provides a hydroelastic cushion against compressive forces. Because cartilage is porous, the synovial fluid eventually drains away and helps dissipate the energy forces travelling through the body, which protects joints from wear and t
E-Mail
IMAGE: The image shows the interface between the hydrogel (left-hand side) and the PDMS (on the right-hand side). The images was taken at 100,000 times magnification. Credit: University of Leeds. view more
Credit: University of Leeds
Inspired by nature, the researchers developing a new load-bearing material
Engineers have developed a new material that mimics human cartilage - the body s shock absorbing and lubrication system, and it could herald the development of a new generation of lightweight bearings.
Cartilage is a soft fibrous tissue found around joints which provides protection from the compressive loading generated by walking, running or lifting. It also provides a protective, lubricating layer allowing bones to pass over one another in a frictionless way. For years, scientists have been trying to create a synthetic material with the properties of cartilage.
Project aims to engineer better artificial joints theengineer.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theengineer.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.