Creating a self-charging scaffold to help heal large bone defects
Official title: Bionic Self-Charged Bone Composite Scaffold
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11129799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new type of bionic material that helps bones heal better on their own, using gentle electrical signals instead of harmful chemicals, and it's designed for people with serious bone injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $523,005 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB036011-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from major bone defects due to trauma, disease, or surgical removal.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with minor bone injuries or those who do not require surgical intervention for bone repair may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a bionic scaffold that can promote bone healing without the need for toxic growth factors or stem cells. By utilizing bioelectric signals, the scaffold aims to enhance the body's natural healing processes. The approach involves engineering a biomaterial that can generate its own electrical stimulation to support bone regeneration, addressing the limitations of current grafting techniques. Patients with significant bone defects may benefit from this innovative solution that seeks to improve healing outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for patients with large bone defects.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of bioelectric signals for bone healing has shown promise, this specific approach of a self-charging scaffold is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Thanh — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Thanh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.