Annie Tangpong, assistant professor, and Iskander Akhatov, principal investigator and professor, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, were awarded a National Science Foundation grant for their project titled “Collaborative Research: Tribologically Durable Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Nanocomposites for Total Joint Replacements: Nano-mechanics and Bio-tribological Modeling.” The total award of this three-year project is $370,000.

According to the researchers, approximately 500,000 people undergo total-hip and total-knee replacements each year in the U.S. The demand for a longer life expectancy of artificial joints, which has been at best no more than 25 years, is increasing. A major cause for osteolysis, bone resorption and implant loosening is the generations of wear in the most biologically active size range.

“This project aims to solve problems in artificial joints through studies of nano-mechanics and bio-tribological modeling of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene nanocomposites used as materials for acetabular cups,” Tangpong said, “If successful, the results of this project will provide a base for design and development of tribologically durable Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene nanocomposite materials that can lead to longer life spans to meet a wide range of patient needs. 

NDSU investigators will work with biomedical researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on this project.

The Centennial Endowment Fund from the NDSU Development Foundation provided support for the preliminary study of this project.