Metal Nanobumps For Better Artificial Body Parts

Roland Piquepaille writes "Everybody seems concerned these days by the risks associated with the use of nanotechnologies. So I'm pleased to report that Purdue engineers have proven that metal nano-bumps could improve artificial body parts, such as hips or knees. They based their theory on a simple fact. Surface bumps on conventional alloys used in prostheses are in the micron range, while they are ten times smaller in natural bones, around 100 nanometers. They thought a reduction of the size of these bumps in the prostheses would also reduce the risk of rejection by the body. They limited their experiments to petri dishes, but showed that adherence of new body cells to their new metal alloys was dramatically better than with existing alloys. Ssveral years will pass before improved artificial hips come to market. But the needs are growing. This overview contains more details and references."

Comments

nanoscale != nanotechnology

[zero_offset]

I wish slashdot posters would stop playing Ace Reporter and just link to the story with a clean synopsis. If you're concerned about nanotech, that doesn't mean you're universally freaked out by things merely because they are small. Just because both words start with "nano" doesn't mean they're always synonymous.

It's like saying "Engineers are concerned by the risks of exposure to electric current, so I'm pleased to report that IBM has proven that electrons can be used to build a microscope."

Thanks, Ace.

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[RealErmine]

Ssveral [sic] years will pass before improved artificial hips come to market. But the needs are growing.

And if the market for improved hips doesn't grow as expected they can always hire a goon squad to artificially inflate demand.