They made biomaterial from eggshells that can be used in implants

Buket Alp and Sena Tek, third-year students of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, were eligible for support under the TÜBİTAK 2209-B Industrial Undergraduate Research Projects Support Program with the project “Hydroxyapatite Production and Development” which they prepared by recycling eggshells.

As part of the study, students processed eggshells in a laboratory setting through various processes and synthesized hydroxyapatite, one of the fundamental mineral components of bones and teeth.

Students continue their work to ensure that the biomaterial they create can be used for implant applications and also explore the potential for using the material in various areas.

“We used eggshell as a source of calcium”

Student Buket Alp said that they managed to obtain a biomaterial from eggshells with the same structure as hydroxyapatite, which occurs naturally in bone and tooth tissue.

Alp explained that the material they produced could also be used in sensor and optical technologies:

“We were looking for a product that we could recycle. Eggshells were the most accessible material for us. It is a material that can be found in every home in the field of biomaterials and by improving its optical properties so that it can be used in sensor technology.”

Explaining that the hydroxyapatite they produced could be used for implant applications due to its biocompatible structure, Alp explained that they had developed a recycling-oriented project under the guidance of scientists from the university.

Alp stated that in the early stages of the studies they also evaluated various sources such as fish bones and mussels, and stated that they had the most successful results with eggshells.

The aim is to improve the mechanical and optical properties

Sena Tek, one of the students, said that they have been working on the project for about 6-7 months.

Tek stated that they intend to further advance their work with the support of TÜBİTAK:

“As part of the support, we plan to improve the properties of the material by adding various elements in the laboratory environment. We have managed to produce pure hydroxyapatite. In the near future, we plan to improve the mechanical and optical properties of the material through doping studies with various elements. After cleaning the eggshell membranes, we obtained hydroxyapatite by subjecting it to certain processes. Now we are conducting studies to increase the performance of this material.”