Materials scientists from the National Research University “BSU” have proposed a technology for producing powder from a biomedical alloy

The development of BSU scientists was carried out under the authority of Sergey Zherebtsov, Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Associate Professor. The innovative technology was applied in Russia for the first time.

The research team of the NRU BSU has previously created and patented the biomedical high-entropy alloy Ti30Zr38Nb20Ta8Sn4. The alloy and its powder obtained by the off-the-shelf technology are characterized by biological compatibility. It has no toxic effect on body cells and does not prevent the growth of multipotent stem cells. These inventions are aimed at the production of medical implants by selective laser melting.

“Our team was the first to apply the ultrasonic atomization method to produce biologically compatible metal powder from a high entropy alloy, and we were also the first to obtain powder for dental metal alloys in such a way,” Sergey Zherebtsov spoke about the uniqueness of the proposed method.

As explained by the scientist, high-speed ultrasonic vibration in an inert environment transforms the flow of five-component metal melt into a powder of microparticles of a specified size and ideal spherical shape. Due to the absence of friction between the particles, the mobility of the powder is comparable to that of a liquid. This provides it with a number of advantages in additive manufacturing: increased accuracy in reproducing the density and height of the applied layer and minimal shrinkage after melting.

Maxim Ozerov, a researcher at the Laboratory of Bulk Nanostructured Materials of the Belgorod State National Research University and Candidate of Technical Sciences, notes that the technology proposed by the scientists allows producing a powder, the elemental composition of which corresponds to the original cast state of the alloy.

“We have experimentally confirmed the uniform distribution of chemical elements of the alloy in the resulting powder,” explained Maxim Ozerov.

Research and experiments were carried out on the basis of the laboratory of bulk nanostructured materials with the support of the “Priority 2030” strategic academic leadership program. A patent was granted for the innovative technology developed by the scientists.

Negotiations aimed at commercializing the scientific development with potential industry partners are currently under way. One of the partners may be VladMiVa Holding.

The information was prepared with the support of the grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia within the framework of the federal project “Popularization of Science and Technology” № 075-15-2024-572 from 13.05.2024.