The University of Cincinnati received a $3 million Ohio Third Frontier Wrights Project Award to develop and commercialize a technology that will strengthen biomedical material like the titanium alloy rods in spinal implant devices. The university has future plans to apply the technology to other materials too.
This strengthening technique, called laser shock preening (LSP) technology, is an advanced treatment that uses laser-induced shock waves to improve material strength, life and resistance to cracking. The process strengthens products and parts by three to five times over conventional preening treatments.
“This project, ‘Ohio Center for Laser Shock Processing for Advanced Materials and Devices,’ which is focused at the intersection of two of the five Wright Projects thrust areas — namely, advanced materials and biomedical devices — will be fantastic for our students, the College of Engineering, UC and Cincinnati State,” said Vijay Vasudevan, a professor in the College of Engineering's Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, and the lead of the project.
The university will use the funds to buy equipment that will allow the project to move forward.
GE Aviation has used the technology to enhance the life and reliability of titanium alloy fan and compressor blades in aircraft turbine engines, according to UC. The university has been working to apply this technology to aerospace components running at ambient and higher temperatures.
The university is collaborating with several local companies and institutions in making the technology commercially available. These include X-Spine Systems Inc ., LSP Technologies Inc, UES Inc. and Cincinnati State and Technical College.
The Ohio Third Wright Projects program offers grants to support research for projects close to commercialization that requires a major capital outlay at universities and non-profits. The projects must involve at least one Ohio company and be in the sectors of advanced materials, advanced/alternative energy, instruments, controls and electronics, biomedical or advanced propulsion.
“In the short term, we will be applying the LSP technology for the first time to enhance the performance and reliability of spinal implants, a natural application given that implant components are made from the same titanium alloys used in aero engines, and thereby helping to develop new, high-value products manufactured and commercialized in Ohio, with the creation of new jobs and enhanced economic growth,” Vasudevan said.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Wendy Beckman, University of Cincinnati Public Information Officer
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