Simona Baltatu – BIOMMEDD

Simona BĂLȚATU

Lecturer Ph.D Eng. Madalina Simona BALTATU researcher since 2014 in the field of biomaterials, focused on titanium alloys, she obtained her Ph.D in 2017 with the theme “Contributions regarding the improvement of the properties of Ti-Mo alloys for medical applications”. She graduated in November 2023 the Advanced Research Postdoctoral Training Program on the "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Science and Engineering. In 2022 she received the Excellence Award, offered by the "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi, for the "Young researcher with the best performance in scientific research" category. Her activity is embodied and highlighted in the list of works, which are mostly in the field of biomaterials (obtaining, characterization, testing and expertise of new biomaterials; medical devices; surface properties; tissue-implant interaction phenomena; functionalization).

The publication record is over 60 articles of which 42 are indexed in journals with F.I. > 1. Other achievements include: 6 international books, 2 national books, 6 international book chapters, 2 books as editor, 5 patent applications and 65 awards at invention salons. As experience in research projects, she was director/responsible for 3 grants, member of 3 international projects, and a member of 8 national projects. Also is Co-founder on SIMTIT ENGINEERING Spin-off (www.simtit.ro), a company dealing with obtaining and characterizing of new materials for medical applications. She is Guest Editor for 9 Special Issues on MDPI and has made over 300 reviews on articles in the field. H-index = 18 (Google Scholar), 16 (Scopus), and 15 (Web of Science). Citations: 805 (Google Scholar), 508 (Web of Science). Personal webpage: http://www.afir.org.ro/msb/.

Abstract

The latest research on titanium alloys suitable for medical applications

Madalina Simona Baltatu1, Petrica Vizureanu1

1 “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, 41 “D. Mangeron” Street, 700050, Iasi, Romania, e-mail: madalina-simona.baltatu@academic.tuiasi.ro

Materials have a great impact on our lives and are very important for many medical applications. We choose titanium alloys for their exceptional mechanical properties and high biocompatibility. This study focuses on the latest trends in titanium-based systems, their properties, and their applications in the medical field. Specifically, it investigates the influence of alloying elements on titanium alloys for orthopaedic applications. The research examines the impact of alloying elements on the mechanical properties and microstructure of titanium alloys, differentiating between α and β alloys. The production of new titanium alloys from non-toxic elements (Mo, Zr, Ta, and Nb) using the argon arc-melting method is explored through optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), indentation tests, and biocompatibility tests.

Research on new titanium alloys developed for biomedical applications demonstrates superior properties compared to conventional alloys. The goal of these improvements is to get around the problems that stainless steels and traditional alloys have, like their high modulus of elasticity, low corrosion resistance, and limited biocompatibility, which depends on the patient's immune system. The newly created alloys aim to improve the modulus of elasticity (close to the human bone) and mechanical strength without compromising the biological capabilities of the alloy. Additionally, they seek to reduce production costs.