Associate Professor Zhangxian “Dan” Deng of the College of Engineering has been awarded the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, marking him as the 26th recipient from Boise State. This award highlights the talents of early-career faculty in both research and education, encouraging them to tackle significant societal issues.
In the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Deng’s work will benefit from this recognition in his Smart Materials and Systems Laboratory over the next five years.
Dean of the College of Engineering, Amy Fleischer, praised the award, noting that it emphasizes the commitment of faculty, staff, and students at Boise State to innovative research. She congratulated Dr. Deng on this well-deserved acknowledgment of his hard work.
“Printed Magnetoelectric Composites as a Bioscaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering”
Deng’s research aims to explore ways to improve the treatment of large bone defects using smart materials that closely mimic natural bones. Conditions like osteoporosis and trauma can create significant bone loss, making it difficult for the body to heal itself. Traditionally, bone grafting has been the go-to solution, with over 600,000 procedures done each year.
“This research could change how we treat serious bone injuries,” Deng explained. “By creating materials that can generate electric charges through magnetic fields, we can develop new biomaterials that promote healing and enhance patient outcomes in regenerative medicine.”
Deng is leading the way in creating magnetically responsive biomaterials designed for patient-specific bone tissue growth. These materials use patients’ own mesenchymal stem cells, guiding them to become bone-forming cells, offering a safer alternative to standard grafting methods.
Innovative Biomaterials
A key part of this project is a unique magnetoelectric biomaterial that simulates the complex structures and conditions of natural bones. Using advanced 3D printing techniques, Deng and his team create porous scaffolds that provide ample surface area for cell growth and microchannels for nutrient flow, replicating the natural bone environment.
This material has remarkable properties, like adjustable stiffness and the ability to generate electric signals when exposed to magnetic fields. These abilities mimic the natural stimuli necessary for bone regeneration. The research investigates how to use magnetic fields for non-invasive, precise stimulation of bone growth.
About the NSF CAREER Award
The NSF CAREER Award supports promising early-career faculty who have the potential to make significant contributions to research and education. Award winners receive funding to pursue ambitious research projects while also focusing on educational outreach. Deng’s award is the 26th CAREER Award at Boise State, helping to nurture the scientific workforce in Idaho through educational initiatives for K-12 students and teachers.
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