Date of Award

January 2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Surojit Gupta

Abstract

In vivo bone tissue engineering is a highly complex process that involves the diffusion of osteoprogenitor cells throughout the scaffold, requiring that the scaffolds have interconnected pores of ~100 μm in diameter to allow for proper diffusion of oxygen and nutrients. For cell adhesion to occur, the scaffold must be made of a bioactive material and have strength that can support the growth and movement of tissue. This study continued the development and characterization of using solvent casting as a synthesis process for the manufacturing of porous scaffolds. The engineered scaffolds using NaCl as the pore former showed excellent porosity size and distribution as well as good mechanical strength and bioactivity. Materials resistant to abrasion are needed to extend the life of equipment used on the surface of the moon. Lunar dust is very abrasive in nature and various coatings were selected as candidates for a tribological study. In this study Al2O3, Al2O3-TiO2, Cr3Cx-NiCr, Cr2O3, and Co-Mo-Cr-Si are applied over a Ti-64 substrate using thermal spray techniques and their tribological behavior is studied against an alumina counterface. Cr3Cx-NiCr and Co-Mo-Cr-Si showed the most promising results and will be sent for further wear testing with a simulated lunar dust. In addition, we also explored different types of MoAlB coatings by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process.

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