Biomaterials Seminar in 2024
- Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira
- Dec 11, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 2
Blog Prof. Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira (Engenharia, Inovação e Educação), Itabira, Vol. 7, No. 1 (dez. 2024), eblg005. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18461257
11/12/2024
Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira
Instituto de Engenharias Integradas da Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itabira, MG, Brazil
Abstract
The Biomaterials Seminars extension project at the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Campus Itabira, was conducted as part of the EMTi26 (Biomaterials) course between November and December 2024. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative brought together one instructor and six to ten Materials Engineering students to explore challenges and innovations in biomaterials. The seminars served as a platform for engineers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to exchange ideas and advancements, enhancing the development and application of biomaterials in healthcare. Students selected topics of technical-economic and social relevance, focusing on innovation and practical application. Evaluation was divided equally between a written summary and a public YouTube video, ensuring clarity, technical accuracy, and accessibility. This project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG #3 – Health and Well-being, SDG #9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production). It was partially published in Cadernos de Educação Tecnologia e Sociedade (2025), highlighting its academic impact. By integrating active methodologies and multimedia dissemination, the seminars promoted deeper learning, interdisciplinary thinking, and the democratization of knowledge in engineering education.
Keywords
Active methodologies, Biomaterials, Biomedical Materials, Elevator Pitch, Seminars
Relevance and Novelty
The novelty of the Biomaterials Seminars lies in its dual evaluation model, which combines written summaries with public video presentations to ensure both academic rigor and broad dissemination. This approach bridges the gap between classroom learning and public engagement, making technical knowledge accessible to broader audiences. Furthermore, the project emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting engineering students with healthcare challenges and industrial innovation. By aligning with global sustainability goals, the seminars highlight the role of biomaterials in advancing responsible production, improving health outcomes, and fostering innovation in infrastructure.
This initiative demonstrates how active learning methodologies can transform engineering education, preparing students not only as technical experts but also as communicators and innovators in the biomedical field. It represents a forward-looking model for integrating extension projects into higher education, reinforcing the importance of knowledge sharing and societal impact.
Details
Extension Project at UNIFEI
Seminar Code: PD003-2024
Title: Seminários de Biomateriais (Biomaterials Seminars)
Year: 2024
Period: 07/11/2024 to 20/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goals:
This extension activity was partially published in a scientific journal: Teixeira, R. L. P. (2025). Seminars as catalysts for active learning in a case study of Technological University Extension Projects. Cadernos De Educação Tecnologia E Sociedade, 18(3), 1062-1075. https://doi.org/10.14571/brajets.v18.n3.1062-1075 , https://brajets.com/brajets/article/view/1955
Description: The seminar activity, planned as a module for the EMTi26 (Biomaterials) course, includes the participation of 1 instructor and 6 to 10 Material Engineering students. The seminar aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, disseminate knowledge, and address challenges in the field of biomaterials. It serves as a platform for engineers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share ideas and advancements, enhancing the development and application of biomaterials in the healthcare sector. Students select topics of technical-economic and/or social relevance, focusing on innovation and practical application. The seminar is evaluated in two parts: a written summary and a YouTube video, each accounting for 50% of the final grade. Both parts must be clear, objective, and technically accurate, with graphical records of the process. The video will be made public on YouTube, and the summary, along with the video link, will be published on the instructor's webpage.
Justification: The justification for the EMTi26 (Biomaterials) seminar is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the dissemination of knowledge in the field of biomaterials. This seminar offers a platform for engineers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share ideas and technological advancements, enhancing the development and application of biomaterials in the healthcare sector.
Extended Scientific Summaries (4 Different Seminar Topics)
Extended Summary 1: Biomaterials in dentistry - Applications of innovative dental composites
Trabalho 01 Adelio, EduardaMaria.pdf (Extended Abstract in Portuguese)
Adélio Juvêncio Manoel Gonçalves dos Santos ¹, Eduarda Conceição Ferreira ², Maria Eduarda Oliveira Santos ³, Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira ⁴
¹²³ Undergraduate Students of the Materials Engineering Program, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
⁴ Faculty Member of the Undergraduate Program in Materials Engineering, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
ABSTRACT:
Dental biomaterials have played a fundamental role in advancing modern dentistry, with a particular focus on dental composites. These materials are composed of a polymer matrix combined with ceramic or inorganic particles, providing excellent mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetics. The use of dental composites has significantly expanded from simple restorations to more complex applications in cosmetic and orthodontic procedures (Basu et al., 2020). The incorporation of nanotechnology into dental composites has been a remarkable innovation. By adding nanoparticles such as silica and zirconia, composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties and wear resistance, as well as reduce degradation due to oral conditions. Nanotechnology also enhances the material's adaptation to the dental structure, increasing durability and reducing failures in long-term treatments.
Keywords: Biocompatibility, Dental Composites, Mechanical Strength, Nanotechnology
Contact e-maill: adeliojuvencio@unifei.edu.br
Video (URL): https://youtu.be/GsTm0X3BhsA (Video in Portuguese)
Extended Summary 2: Stents
Amanda_Atila_Hethaly_Trabalho 02.pdf (Extended Abstract in Portuguese)
Amanda Vieira Souza ¹, Atila Taylor Silva ², Hethaly Barbara Marques ³, Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira ⁴
¹²³ Undergraduate Students of the Materials Engineering Program, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
⁴ Faculty Member of the Undergraduate Program in Materials Engineering, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
ABSTRACT:
Stents are devices implanted to restore blood flow in obstructed coronary arteries, widely used in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases. Initially, conventional metallic stents reduced complications such as restenosis but presented issues related to neointimal hyperplasia and thrombosis. To overcome these problems, drug-eluting stents were developed, which release antiproliferative agents such as sirolimus and paclitaxel, minimizing restenosis and improving the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. Subsequent generations of drug-eluting stents incorporated improvements in design, the use of biocompatible polymers, and biodegradable technologies. The second generation introduced thinner polymers and materials such as cobalt-chromium, increasing safety and reducing adverse events. In the third and fourth generations, bioabsorbable platforms were introduced, which control inflammatory responses and the risk of late thrombosis, besides allowing polymer resorption after drug release, moving these devices closer to the ideal stent model. Although technological advances have improved efficacy and safety, challenges related to adverse events and the complexity of polymer use still remain. As research continues in the quest for new stent models with improved performance, reduced risk of complications, and a decreased need for additional interventions, drug-eluting stents continue to be established as the first-line treatment for coronary artery diseases.
Keywords: Biomaterials, Bioabsorbable Stents, Biodegradable Stents, Drug-Eluting Stents, Stents
Contact e-mail: d2021002806@unifei.edu.br
Video (URL):https://youtu.be/5VGt2IsVvuk (Video in Portuguese)
Extended Summary 3: FDM Printing of Biological Material
Andre_Pedro_Trabalho 03.pdf (Extended Abstract in Portuguese)
Pedro Motta Soriano ¹, André Guilherme Castellões Mesquita Gonçalves ², Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira ³
¹² Undergraduate Students of the Materials Engineering Program, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
³ Faculty Member of the Undergraduate Program in Materials Engineering, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
ABSTRACT:
This research explores the fabrication and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composites for bone tissue engineering, using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The combination of solid-state shear milling and the addition of plasticizers significantly improved the thermal processability of PVA, enabling its efficient application in 3D printing processes. The incorporation of β-TCP into the scaffolds enhanced both mechanical properties and bioactivity. The homogeneous dispersion of β-TCP particles within the PVA matrix resulted in greater compressive strength and durability of the scaffolds, ensuring their applicability in conditions requiring partial load-bearing support. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that the presence of β-TCP promoted cell adhesion and proliferation, confirming the biocompatibility of the scaffolds and their potential for bone tissue engineering applications. The use of FDM technology allowed for the fabrication of customized scaffolds with controlled architecture and interconnected pores, which are essential characteristics for efficient bone regeneration. This advancement represents a significant contribution to the field of regenerative medicine, offering high-quality and customized solutions for the treatment of complex bone defects.
Keywords: β-TCP (β-tricalcium phosphate), Bone Tissue Engineering, FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol), Scaffolds
Contact e-mail: d2021003302@unifei.edu.br
Video (URL):https://youtu.be/xoFyV4YCgwQ (Video in Portuguese)
Extended Summary 4: Hybrid Systems of β-Cyclodextrin-Synthetic Polymer for the Complexation of Hydrophobic Drugs (Antitumor Medications)
Matheus_Tamara_ Trabalho 03.pdf (Extended Abstract in Portuguese)
Tamara Batista Damasceno ¹, Matheus da Silva Costa ², Ricardo Luiz Perez Teixeira ³, Marli Luiza Tebaldi (In memoriam) ⁴
¹² Undergraduate Students of the Materials Engineering Program, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
³⁴ Faculty Members of the Undergraduate Program in Materials Engineering, Institute of Integrated Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá.
ABSTRACT:
Beta-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) are macromolecules widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their biocompatibility and ability to form inclusion complexes with hydrophobic molecules, improving the solubility and stability of drugs. However, they have limitations such as low water solubility and high toxicity, especially via parenteral administration. This work proposes the development of a hybrid system combining β-CDs with smart polymers, such as Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), to create carriers for hydrophobic drugs. The controlled RAFT polymerization technique, utilizing the "grafting-from" strategy, was applied to modify β-CDs, enabling controlled release and prolonged therapeutic action. Physicochemical characterizations, including NMR, SEM, TGA, FTIR, DLS, and cytotoxicity assays, were conducted to validate the viability and safety of the developed hybrid material.
Keywords: Bioconjugation, Cyclodextrins, Hydrophobic Drugs, Inclusion Complexes, Hybrid Materials, Smart Polymers
Contact e-mail: tataeitalo@hotmail.com
Video (URL):https://youtu.be/kz3ezA2zIIU (Video in Portuguese)
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