Transforming eggshell waste into innovative plasma-treated biomaterials for enhanced wound healing rainbow

• Grant number: 24/11110-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Agreement: CONFAP - National Council of State Research Support Foundations ; Wallonie-Bruxelles International
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Rosifini Alves
• Grantee: Ana Paula Rosifini Alves
• Principal researcher abroad: Carla Bittencourt
• Institution abroad: Université de Mons (UMONS) , Belgium
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Guaratinguetá
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Zirpoli Simões
• Associated research grant: 22/14790-2 - Biomimetic spine fusion implants for back pain (BioFusion), AP.TEM

Abstract

Due to its circular material properties, Eggshell waste offers excellent potential for reuse in various industries. We aim to promote sustainability in biomedical applications by effectively using these materials. The project involves extracting powders from eggshells (ES) and eggshell membranes (ESM) and treating them with bactericidal metal oxides, such as gallium oxide, using magnetron sputtering before incorporating them into ceramic filaments for 3D printers. Gallium-based materials have shown promise as antibacterial agents in inhibiting the activity of various bacterial strains. Due to its potential use in biomedical applications, gallium has been incorporated into bioglasses, liquid metals, and bioceramics. However, there have been limited studies on the potential benefits of using gallium oxide for antimicrobial properties in ES and ESM powders. There is no existing literature on the functionalization of ES or ESM using gallium oxide as a bactericidal material. The goals of our collaboration proposal include producing powder from ES and ESM using various techniques, modifying their surfaces with oxo chemical groups via oxygen plasma treatment and/or decorating their surfaces with gallium oxide via magnetron sputtering, and characterizing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these powders. (AU)