New Biodegradable Materials for Medical Implants

Biodegradable metallo-elastomer

NIH-funded research Cornell University · NIH-11113991

This project is creating new types of flexible, biodegradable materials that could be used in future medical implants and devices.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCornell University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ithaca, United States)
Project IDNIH-11113991 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are developing innovative biodegradable materials called metallo-elastomers, which are designed to be highly elastic and safe for the body. These materials use special metal bonds to create unique properties and can be customized by changing the metal ions. Our early findings show these materials are very flexible and even more compatible with the body than some materials currently used in medical implants. We believe these new materials could offer improved options for various medical applications, potentially promoting healing or reducing inflammation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who might benefit in the future are those needing medical implants or devices that require flexible, biocompatible, and potentially bioactive materials.

Not a fit: Patients not requiring medical implants or devices would not directly benefit from this specific material development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer, more effective, and customizable medical implants and devices that interact positively with the body.

How similar studies have performed: This approach of using metal coordination bonds for biodegradable elastomers is novel, though biodegradable elastomers themselves are a known area of research.

Where this research is happening

Ithaca, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.