BME

2811 C18: Introduction to Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering

Homework #1
Due: Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 11 AM.
NOTE: For full credit to all problems, i) answers must be clearly and concisely written, ii) easy to read
and iii) contain the correct number of significant figures iv) you must show your work. Also,
you MUST cite literature that was used to solve problems.


1. One promising biomaterial application is the construction of a full-thickness skin graft, a device
that replaces a region of damaged skin tissue. Native skin can resistance varying shear forces and
it serves as a moisture barrier between the body and the surrounding environment. Skin also serves
as a structural support for hair, sweat glands and a microvascular network. You need to design a
new skin graft.
a. List two advantages and two disadvantages with each of the three major classes of
biomaterials discussed in class. Which general class of material would you choose for this
application and why?
b. What specific material characteristics or properties (describe at least 3) need to be
considered for the skin graft application?
c. Would you use a natural or synthetic material for this application? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?

2. Define i) ionic, ii) covalent and iii) metallic bonds. What trait of metallic bonds make the surfaces
of metals reactive and highly susceptible to corrosion?

3. Identify the type of bond (ionic or covalent) in the following compounds: (a) propane (C3H8), (b)
lactose (C6H22 O11), (c) lithium fluoride (LiF), (d) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), (e) iron oxide (FeO),
(f) methylene(CH2), and (g) carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

4. Temenoff Problem2.1 (a), (b), (c) (p. 96-97). Please note: Figure (a) in this problem is supposed
to illustrate a simple cubic unit.

5. You are investigating a copolymer for its potential as a surface material for a total knee
replacement. You are trying to determine whether you want a high or a low degree of crystallinity
in the material. What type of structures for copolymers have a higher probability for
crystallization?

6. Temenoff Problem 2.3 (p. 97)

7. (a) Calculate the Miller indices for the planes shown in Temenoff: i) p. 99, Figure (a) and ii) p. 99
Figure (b). From your understanding of dislocations and slip planes in crystalline structures, what
physical property of metal materials makes them less brittle than comparable ceramic materials?

8. Calculate the number of atoms present per cm3 for aluminum oxide (alumina) (Al2O3), which has a
density of 3.95 g/cm3.

9. The density of cobalt is 8.90 g/cm3. Avogadro's number is 6.02x1023. i) Calculate the weight of a
cobalt atom. ii) How many cobalt atoms are contained in a cubic centimeter?

10. Titanium alloy contains a blend of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, and has a composition
(Ti6Al4V). Determine the weight percentage of titanium in Ti6Al4V.

BME 2811 C18: HW#1