Mathew T. Mathew
Mathew T. Mathew Heading link
Associate Professor
Description
Biomaterials, Biomedical implants, Corrosion
Dr. Mathew’s disability research lab focus on the simulation of human artificial joints, biomechanics and tribocorrosion aspects of implant biomaterials in dentistry and orthopedics. Biomedical implants are increasingly used to assist the patients with disability and bring comfort and continue their healthy physical activities with an expected level. The BEST fellow will work with graduate students and researchers to understand the corrosion induced failure pathways in the biomedical implants.
As the behavior of a metal biomedical implants in a body environment is a complex issue, the objective of his research is to find an optimum solution related to longevity, biocompatibility and stability by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. For example, fretting-corrosion at hip taper junction is a great concern in the orthopedic community. On the other hand, the durability and performance of dental implants are limited due to the severe oral environment, which is under constantly varying pH levels and biofilm growth based on the food habits and oral hygiene. By using the concept of synergism between wear and corrosion (tribocorrosion), his lab would like to understand not only the degradation mechanisms but also provide solutions to prevent the failure and/or early prediction of the failure processes. Such findings can be useful in producing implants with customized surfaces, with superior wear and corrosion resistance, with the required biocompatibility. In addition, his research group is also interested in developing new diagnostic techniques and tools for the community with joint related disability. His labs are located at UIC collage of Dentistry (Chicago) and UIC school of Medicine at Rockford. The BEST fellow learn basic of corrosion and tribocorrosion and he/she will conduct lab scale research, using electrochemistry and tribocorrosion in-vitro models. The fellow can attend out institute (IBTN) weekly seminars and learn other related projects. We have many active research projects related to the biomedical implants and disability evaluation are available to the BEST fellow’s research experience.