Inorganic Structure With Local Crystal Orientation for Bone-Compatible Modulus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inorganic structures face challenges in imparting region-specific mechanical properties due to their uniform density and crystallographic orientation, leading to issues like stress shielding and mismatched mechanical properties with biological tissues or varying requirements in mobile bodies.

Innovation Solution

An inorganic structure with multiple solidified portions having different preferential crystallographic orientations and shapes, combined with sub-solidified areas and cell interfaces, to achieve region-specific mechanical properties through additive manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a solid inorganic structure is used, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the Young's modulus becomes higher than that of biological bone causing stress shielding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcompatibility with biological bone

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inorganic structure is divided into multiple regions with different crystallographic orientations. Specific regions have crystal orientations that provide high strength, while other regions have orientations that reduce the overall Young's modulus to match biological bone, thereby eliminating stress shielding while maintaining mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The structure combines multiple crystallographic phases or orientations within a single inorganic material system. By creating a composite structure at the microstructural level with different crystal orientations, the material achieves a balance between high strength and bone-compatible elasticity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional manufacturing processes are used, then the inorganic structure is formed with uniform properties, but it is difficult to impart region-specific mechanical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidregion-specific mechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process divides the inorganic structure into multiple solidified portions or regions, each with independently controllable crystallographic orientations. This segmentation allows different regions to be manufactured with specific mechanical properties tailored to their functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the crystallographic orientation parameter across different regions of the inorganic structure. By controlling parameters such as solidification direction, cooling rate, and thermal processing in different regions, the manufacturing process imparts region-specific mechanical properties while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the inorganic structure has uniform density, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the mechanical properties cannot be adjusted to match varying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process complexityVSAvoidmechanical property adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the inorganic structure are assigned different crystallographic orientations and densities according to their specific functional requirements. This local differentiation allows the structure to achieve varying mechanical properties in different regions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic control of solidification parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The structure achieves varying mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and strength by exploiting crystallographic orientation and shape differences, aligning with the requirements of biological bones or mobile body regions.

Implementation Method 1

An inorganic structure according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of solidified portions composed of an inorganic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

The first solidified portion has a crystallographic orientation in which a first crystallographic direction is preferentially oriented in a predetermined direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallographic orientation: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS20260085448A1Inorganic structure and method for manufacturing inorganic structure

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 OSAKA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

An inorganic structure having mechanical properties that differ depending on the region in the inorganic structure, and a method for manufacturing the inorganic structure are provided. An inorganic structure (1) of the present embodiment includes a plurality of solidified portions (SA) composed of an inorganic material. The plurality of solidified portions (SA) include a first solidified portion (SA1) having a first crystallographic direction (CO1) preferentially oriented in a predetermined direction, and a second solidified portion (SA2) having a second crystallographic direction (CO2) that is a different orientation from the first crystallographic direction (CO1).