Materials scientists from Russia’s National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have developed a bioactive polymer-ceramic composite material derived from eggshell waste that can be used to potentially fix implants or restore bone defects in the skull.

To develop the material, the scientists combined polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is a synthetic polymer already used as a type of bone cement, with diopside, a silicate bio-ceramic derived from eggshells.

Source: NUST

Alone, the PMMA possesses self-curing properties, but demonstrates weak chemical and biological interactions with living tissue. However, modified with the diopside, the mixture reportedly stimulates the growth of bone tissue.

During testing, the researchers determined that a sample with 50% diopside demonstrated a four-fold increase in compressive strength. Additionally, following in vitro testing at four weeks, the mixture included bone minerals on its surface.

For now, the research team will continue to test the different samples of the mixtures.

The research appears in the Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies.