Advances in Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials

Prof. Ben-Nissan has an MSc degree in Ceramic Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, both from the UNSW Australia.

Over the last three decades, Prof. Ben-Nissan has worked in and contributed to the biomedical materials and implant design areas, production and analysis of various calcium phosphate biomaterials, nanocoated sol-gel developed thin films, slow drug delivery, conversion of marine structures to biomedical materials, and finite element analysis of material structures.

He has made significant contributions in the field of advanced ceramics, and successfully developed materials for implant technology (bioactive materials including the conversion of Australian corals to hydroxyapatite), bone graft production and bio-composites, and conducted investigative research on biomechanics (mandible, knee and hip joints), reliability and implant design (modular zirconia ceramic knee prostheses, femoral head and taper stresses, and bionic eyes).

He has expertise in zirconia and hydroxyapatite ceramics, transformations and measurement of micro-mechanical stresses in ceramics and biomaterials. He is involved in consulting work related to various patent litigations in biomaterials and devices areas. His current research involves calcium phosphates, nanocoatings, bioactive bone grafts and the use of biomimetics approaches in slow drug delivery.

Prof. Ben-Nissan has published over 90 fully refereed papers in journals, as well as several book chapters. He is the editor of the Journal of the Australasian Ceramic Society and received The Australasian Ceramic Society Award for his "Sustained Contribution to the Ceramics Research & Development and Education in Australia". In 2006 his research on hydroxyapatite nanocoatings was recognized with the “Future Materials Award”.