Rafael Costa de Matos

Visiting PhD student from Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil

Development and Laser Surface Functionalization of PCL–Bioactive Glass Composites

Supervisor in Brazil: Prof. Dr. Bruno Alexandre Pacheco de Castro Henriques

Supervisor in Erlangen: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Aldo R. Boccaccini

The research focuses on the development of multifunctional polycaprolactone (PCL) composites incorporating bioactive glasses for bone tissue engineering applications. Two approaches based on 45S5 and mesoporous 58S bioactive glasses are investigated, exploring composite processing, additive manufacturing and laser-based surface functionalization. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships between material composition, processing parameters, surface properties, mechanical performance, bioactivity and biological response, aiming to develop advanced biomaterials with enhanced potential for bone regeneration. The visit is carried out in the frame of the joint project between UFSC and FAU: PROBRAL (CAPES–DAAD) program.