Magnesium as a biomaterial - Innovations in medicine and materials technology
| Project | Magnesium as a biomaterial - A driver for new innovations in medicine and materials technology |
| Duration | 01.10.2017 - 31.12.2019 |
| Funding | TUBAF funding |
Project description and research content
The interest in magnesium for use as a resorbable implant material dates back to the end of the 19th century. Doctors recognised the biocompatible and bone-like properties and used the corrosion and absorption behaviour in the human body as an advantage for self-dissolving, temporary implants. However, the technological possibilities limited the further development of mechanical properties and the control of the corrosion rate. In recent years, magnesium as a biomaterial has once again become the centre of attention and has even successfully entered the market. The first medical products for vascular applications and fracture treatment are being used successfully. Research continues to focus on influencing the corrosion behaviour, the material characteristics and the biological behaviour in vivo in order to expand the possible applications.
The requirements from a medical, bio- and material science perspective are being investigated as part of the research work. Experience with conventional implants is used to determine the medical requirements with the help of expert surveys. Such a market analysis integrates the different research areas and shows the prioritised requirements for further application-oriented research and development of magnesium-based biomaterials.
Under the technical direction of Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Michael Höck, M. Sc. Sarah Siefen are in charge of the work packages.
Publications
S. Siefen, M. Hoeck: Magnesium als Biomaterial - Ein Treiber für neue Innovationen in der Medizin und Werkstofftechnik; In: Metall, Jg. 72, Heft 5, p. 184-191.
S. Siefen, M. Hoeck: Development of magnesium implants by application of conjoint-based quality function deployment. in: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, pp. 1-21.
Primary magnesium extraction from suitable salt solutions from the potash industry
| Project | Primary magnesium extraction from suitable salt solutions from the potash industry |
| Duration | 01.01.2012 - 01.01.2013 |
| Funding | SAB funding |
Project description and research content
Magnesium has a relatively low density (1.74 g/cm³) and is the lightest metallic construction material. As magnesium alloys also have a high strength, these materials have excellent prerequisites as a lightweight construction material, e.g. for the automotive or aerospace industry. On the other hand, Germany is heavily dependent on imports of primary magnesium. The People's Republic of China currently accounts for 82% of global production, followed by the USA with 6.6% and the Russian Federation with 5%. Against this backdrop, the question arises as to whether domestic magnesium production and the utilisation of domestic raw materials are economically viable.
A key domestic raw material for primary magnesium production is potassium salt containing magnesium. Germany is one of the fourth largest potash salt producers in the world and the third largest producer in Europe. In 2011, the raw extraction of K+S KALI GmbH in Germany amounted to about 37 million tonnes, with about 1.35 million tonnes of by-products, such as residual salt, bromine, magnesium chloride, magnesium chloride lye, kieserite and other magnesium products. Two further German deposits are currently being examined, which would further increase the raw production of magnesium-containing salts if capacity were to be expanded. A significant by-product of the processing of these salts as part of fertiliser production are magnesium chloride-rich salt solutions.
The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of primary magnesium extraction from magnesium chloride-containing salt solutions in the potash industry. Essentially, four work objectives are pursued:
- Long-term demand and supply forecast of primary magnesium
- Technological assessment of primary magnesium extraction
- Ecological assessment of primary magnesium extraction
- Investment and operating cost analysis.
Under the technical direction of Prof. Dr rer. pol. Michael Höck, M. Sc. Sarah Siefen and M. Sc. Peter Zippel were entrusted with the processing of the work packages.
Publications
M. Höck: Sachstandsanalyse Magnesium: in DECHEMA Positionspapier Anorganische Rohstoffe - Sicherung der Rohstoffbasis von morgen, ProcessNet Temporärer Arbeitskreis "Rohstoffe und Kreislaufwirtschaft" (ed.), Frankfurt a.M. 2015, pp. 41- 43.
M. Hoeck, S. Siefen, P. Zippel: Die wirtschaftliche und ökologische Herausforderung der Magnesiumgewinnung aus Salzlösungen der Kaliindustrie in Deutschland; in: Metall , vol. 67, issue 5, pp. 214-219.
M. Hoeck, S. Siefen, P. Zippel: Analysis and forecast of the magnesium market, in: Metall, Vol. 67, Issue 4, pp. 92-97.