Opportunity

Temporary implants must combine the strength of structural metals with a degradation profile that closely follows tissue healing, yet many iron-based systems corrode too slowly or break down unevenly. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), in collaboration with BIO DG Inc., engineered a biodegradable alloy in which a halogen-bearing phase is incorporated directly into the iron matrix to promote steady, uniform corrosion. The modified electrochemical environment encourages controlled surface dissolution rather than pitting or particulate formation, while the underlying alloy retains the mechanical performance needed for early-stage load support. By adjusting the concentration and distribution of the reactive phase, degradation rates can be matched to clinical timelines for orthopedic, dental or soft-tissue devices. This technology is available for licensing and/or further collaborative research from NETL in partnership with BIO DG.