Talk@BCRT: Regine Willumeit-Römer (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon)

Abstract

Lecture

The Digital Twin for Degradable Mg-Implants 

Magnesium-based implants have found their way into the clinics, and the number of approved products increases. However, we still have not reached a full understanding of all processes during the degradation of such implants and regeneration of the surrounding tissue. In vitro studies with sufficient spatial, temporal and chemical resolution to reach such an understanding are challenging, and longitudinal in vivo monitoring with equally good resolution is typically even impossible. At the same time, extrapolating the in vivo outcome based on in vitro tests remains unreliable. Therefore, we are aiming at the development of a Digital Twin for in silico studies. To calibrate this digital twin, we use not only reliable electrochemical data but also multiscale in vitro and in vivo image data by employing synchrotron radiation-based micro computed micro and nano tomography or transmission electron microscopy for Mg-xGd implant materials (x=2, 5, 10 wt. %). With our model approach we are able to simulate the degradation process for different alloys in vitro and in vivo.