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Designing Nanostructured Ti6Al4V Bioactive Interfaces with Directed Irradiation Synthesis toward Cell Stimulation to
Ana Civantos1,2, Alethia Barnwell1, Akshath R Shetty1,2
1Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 104 S Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 6, 2021
Summary
Directed irradiation synthesis (DIS) creates bioactive titanium alloy surfaces with nanoscale features that enhance human aortic smooth muscle stem cell adhesion and proliferation. This novel method controls nanostructure formation for improved biomaterial performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biomaterials are transitioning from inert to bioactive, interacting with biological systems at the nanoscale.
- Tailoring surface nanofeatures is crucial for controlling cellular responses.
- Existing methods for surface modification may lack precision in nanostructure control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Directed Irradiation Synthesis (DIS) as a novel technology for creating bioactive biomaterial surfaces.
- To investigate the influence of DIS-generated nanoscale topography on human aortic smooth muscle stem cell behavior.
- To establish correlations between specific nanofeature morphology and cellular responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Directed Irradiation Synthesis (DIS) with argon ions on medical-grade Ti6Al4V.
- Controlled ion-beam incidence angle and energy (< 1 keV) to create self-organized nanostructures.
- Evaluated cell viability, cytoskeleton morphology, adhesion, and proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle stem cells at 24 hours.
Main Results:
- DIS successfully tailored nanoscale surface topography on Ti6Al4V.
- Modified surfaces demonstrated 84% cell biocompatibility and enhanced cell attachment.
- Oblique incidence angles significantly increased filopodia (3-fold) and lamellipodia (2-fold) density, indicating stimulated cell adhesion.
- Nanoripple formation was identified as the most effective morphology for cell stimulation.
Conclusions:
- DIS is a viable technology for creating bioactive surfaces with controlled nanoscale features.
- Surface nanostructure topography significantly influences cell shape, adhesion, and proliferation.
- DIS-modified titanium surfaces show promise for promoting stem cell attachment and growth in vitro.

