Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that use microbes as active sensors to make microscopic measurements across surfaces, such as large geographical surfaces. The methodology can image large physical areas with high resolution hyperspectral data, create a dataset that can be analyzed to develop an image analysis model, and then leverage hyperspectral images to determine the presence of materials (chemicals, pathogens, minerals, etc.) of interest. The systems and methods enable a user to identify the target within hyperspectral data, without the need to utilize microbes to measure areas beyond their initial use as labeled training data.

Abstract: An antibacterial alloy material suitable for making biomedical implants and surgical instruments and devices associated with biomedical implantation is disclosed. The alloy material comprises about 50–99.99 wt.% Ti, about 1–49 wt.% Cu, and about 0.01–10 wt.% SiO2. The antibacterial alloy material imparts antibacterial properties by enabling controlled ion release to inhibit biofilm formation, addressing issues like peri-implantitis associated with conventional bio-inert materials. In addition, the antibacterial alloy material enhances osseointegration and improves the mechanical durability of the resulting implants and surgical instruments and devices, including hardness and wear resistance. In addition, the antibacterial alloy material exhibits anti-corrosive properties and may be fabricated via techniques like spark plasma sintering (SPS).