A team of researchers from the Center for Biomaterials, Cellular & Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT) at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, was declared the winner of MaterialNEXT 2.0 hosted by TATA Steel on July 9, 2021.
Tata Steel Advanced Materials Research Centres (TSAMRC) has been actively associating with young college talents through their Campus Connect programme, while MaterialNEXT is an open innovation pan-India event to identify budding research talents and materialise potential ideas.
Team Titans from VIT, Vellore, mentored by the Director & Senior Professor Dr Geetha Manivasgam of CBCMT, comprises of interdisciplinary research scholars Pearlin Hameed, Ansheed Raheem, Aswin G & Jishita R. They had bagged a cash prize of `5 lakh after marking a prolific win in the grand finale.
The team innovated a novel 3D printed porous Titanium alloy that nearly mimics the properties of natural bone in contrast to conventional titanium alloys that are currently used. This would significantly alleviate many post-surgical complications, which otherwise contributed to implant failure. Currently, the Indian medical sector prevalently uses imported implants for bone repair, which is a cross to bear for an average Indian and a near to impossible luxury for the underprivileged. This material innovation is expected to churn out indigenous porous bone grafts, plates, fixtures, screws, and dental implants, with superior biocompatibility and an affordable price tag.
