Engineering of Smart and Sustainable Biomaterials for Regenerative Orthopaedics

About the Project

This PhD project explores the development of next-generation biomaterials for orthopaedic regeneration, focusing on engineering sustainable ceramic-based implants that address both clinical needs and environmental pressures.

Musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries are a leading cause of disability worldwide, often requiring surgical intervention and long-term implant solutions. While conventional metal implants remain the standard of care, they are associated with several drawbacks including stress shielding, lack of integration, long-term revision risk, and poor alignment with global sustainability goals. As healthcare systems move toward more personalised, circular, and resource-conscious models, there is an urgent need for implant materials that are biocompatible, mechanically suitable, environmentally viable, and adaptable to patient-specific requirements.

This project will focus on the design, fabrication, and evaluation of ceramic-based biomaterials for bone regeneration. These materials are inherently bioactive, chemically stable, and suited to osseointegration, but their translation into clinically adaptable, low-impact systems remains limited. The project will examine how processing routes, structural architecture, and performance characteristics can be optimised to support effective bone healing while also reducing waste, energy consumption, and environmental burden.

Project Objectives:

1. Explore and compare different ceramic systems suitable for biomedical application, with particular focus on their biocompatibility, mechanical reliability, and degradation behaviour.
2. Investigate sustainable processing strategies for ceramic scaffolds or implants considering manufacturing routes, energy efficiency, and opportunities for waste reduction.
3. Evaluate the biological and mechanical performance of engineered samples, focusing on key properties such as porosity, compressive strength, and integration potential.
4. Apply lifecycle and systems thinking to identify how these biomaterials align with wider clinical and environmental sustainability goals, including potential for future NHS or med-tech applications.

The PhD will begin with a structured review of current ceramic materials used in orthopaedics, identifying their benefits, limitations, and areas for innovation. The student will then investigate ceramic processing strategies such as powder-based shaping, sintering, or composite reinforcement approaches, selecting and optimising methods that are accessible, energy-aware, and scalable.

Physical and mechanical testing will be used to characterise material properties including strength, density, microstructure, and failure modes. Environmental and sustainability impact will also be considered at each stage, from material sourcing and production through to usage and degradation. While not the primary focus, the project may explore additive manufacturing methods where relevant to improving geometric control or reducing material waste.

The biological evaluation component will focus on in vitro studies to assess biocompatibility and cell-material interaction. The goal is to ensure that any developed materials offer safe, stable platforms for integration with native bone while meeting emerging sustainability criteria for healthcare devices.

Throughout the project, the student will be encouraged to consider real-world clinical translation, not just performance in isolation. This includes understanding the role of standards and regulations, sterilisation, patient-specific variation, and the integration of sustainability metrics into early-stage biomaterials design.

Training and Environment

The PhD candidate will be based at Kingston University London and supervised by Constance Gnanasagaran and 2 other co-supervisors. The student will receive comprehensive training in:

• Ceramic characterisation and mechanical testing
• Materials processing and structural analysis
• Sustainable design principles and life cycle thinking
• Academic writing and research communication

Laboratory facilities will support both materials development and biological screening. The student will have opportunities to engage with industry or clinical collaborators and present work at relevant national or international conferences.

Candidate Profile

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds including Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields. Some prior experience with biomaterials, materials characterisation, or medical device design is beneficial, but not essential. Most importantly, the candidate should be passionate about research that combines engineering rigour with clinical impact and sustainability.

This project offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a growing field of regenerative medicine, combining scientific depth with societal relevance, and engineering innovation with environmental consciousness.