UoH researchers develop new alloys for stronger medical implants
The new multi-principal element alloys could make hip joints and bone plates safer and more durable than conventional options.
Researchers at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) have developed a new family of metal alloys designed to make medical implants such as bone plates and hip joints stronger and longer-lasting, according to Telangana Today.
The UoH-led team worked with research partners from IIT Delhi, IIT Bhubaneswar, and CSIR-CECRI Karaikudi to create these multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs).
Unlike conventional alloys built around a single main metal, these MPEAs blend titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr) in equal or near-equal proportions so that no single metal dominates.
Researchers said the alloys combine high strength with resistance to wear and flexibility that better matches human bone, which may reduce the risk of implants loosening.
Laboratory tests using fluids that mimic the human body showed the alloys have excellent resistance to corrosion, while cell studies confirmed they are biocompatible without toxic effects.
The work is part of the doctoral thesis of Nanda Kishore Karnam, supervised by Koteswararao V Rajulapati of the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (SEST) at UoH, and was published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.