Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
HEIndividual fellowship2023–2025

DrugCer · Cold Sintering Process for Fabrication of Biodegradable Drug-Eluting Ceramics

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-08-01 → 2025-07-31
EU contribution
€189,687
Participants
2
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Cold Sintering Process for Fabrication of Biodegradable Drug-Eluting Ceramics

The project DrugCer – Cold Sintering Process for the Fabrication of Biodegradable Drug-Eluting Ceramics aimed to develop a sustainable manufacturing route for bioceramics with controlled drug release and bone-like mechanical performance. Conventional sintering requires temperatures above 1000 °C, which limits the integration of drugs, polymers, and metals. The Cold Sintering Process (CSP) overcomes this barrier by enabling densification of materials at near-room temperatures under high pressure. This approach reduces energy use and CO2 emissions while opening new opportunities for multifunctional biomedical materials. The project focused on creating biodegradable ceramic–polymer composites that can release therapeutic agents and provide strength comparable to that of compact bone. Beyond developing drug-eluting bioceramics, a new concept for bioceramics with embedded metallic lines was proposed. Such functional bioceramics hold potential for bone-integrated sensors and neural interfaces. These materials could bridge the gap between hard implants and flexible electronics, contributing to future human–machine interfaces. The project addressed EU strategic priorities by reducing the environmental footprint of ceramic manufacturing (European Green Deal), promoting technological innovation in the health and materials sectors (An Economy that Works for People), and supporting medical technologies that improve the quality of life (European Way of Life).

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

DrugCer proposes a paradigm shift in drug delivery for bone restoration by making drugs an inherent part of a biodegradable ceramic implant. Such a new approach would require drug loading during ceramic sintering, which in turn requires multidisciplinary research and development of low-temperature/cold ceramic processing. Accordingly, the main research goal of DrugCer is to apply a novel pressure-assisted “Cold Sintering Process” (CSP) for co-sintering of biodegradable ceramics with drugs. To achieve the goal, the researcher will receive advanced training in CSP and develop the co-sintering process by establishing a relationship between the processing parameters and properties of the resulting bioceramics. She will train in and master cryo-focused ion beam milling and cryo-scanning transmission electron microscopy to investigate the process kinetics and densification mechanisms. Finally, she will train in and develop methods for complex shaping to adapt the method for potential translation to preclinical studies. Cold-sintering will decrease energy consumption in bioceramics’ fabrication. It will also enable bioceramic co-sintering with other temperature-sensitive materials (e.g., polymers), opening paths to innovations in fields beyond orthopedics or even medicine (e.g., construction ceramics).Multidisciplinary supervising teams at Fraunhofer IKTS (host) and Penn State University (secondment) will support training through research and transferrable skills development (grant writing, teaching/mentoring, project management, networking, and horizontal skills). Inter-sectoral communication with Charité hospital (short visits) will ensure high-quality guidance in developing prospective biomedical technology from its very beginning. Thus, DrugCer will equip the researcher with unique expertise, skills, and a professional network for establishing an independent group in the niche of low-temperature, energy-efficient ceramic processing.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV · MunchenCoordinatorGermany
  • THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY · University ParkUnited States

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union