Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing the surface of a biomedical implant. The biomedical implant may be a zirconia-toughened alumina implant surface functionalized with silicon nitride powder for promoting osteogenesis.

Abstract: Methods for improving the wear performance of silicon nitride and/or other ceramic materials, particularly to make them more suitable for use in manufacturing biomedical implants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices and methods for inactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The compositions, methods, and devices may include coatings or slurries such as silicon nitride powder coatings or slurries for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %.

Abstract: Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %.

Abstract: Described herein are antiviral compositions and apparatuses and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the composition or apparatus. The composition and/or apparatus include silicon nitride at a concentration of 1 wt. % to 15 wt. % and the silicon nitride inactivates at least 85% of the virus in contact with the composition and/or apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to systems, methods, and articles for rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by silicon nitride and aluminum nitride are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antifungal composites, devices, and methods to reduce or prevent a fungus from growing on the antifungal composite. The antifungal composite and devices thereof may include a biocompatible polymer and a Si3N4 powder loaded in at least a portion of the biocompatible polymer. The polymer may be a thermoplastic polymer such as a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin and the Si3N4 powder may be present in a concentration of about 1 vol. % to about 30 vol. % in the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antifungal composites, devices, and methods to reduce or prevent a fungus from growing on the antifungal composite. The antifungal composite and devices thereof may include a biocompatible polymer and a Si3N4 powder loaded in at least a portion of the biocompatible polymer. The polymer may be a thermoplastic polymer such as a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin and the Si3N4 powder may be present in a concentration of about 1 vol. % to about 30 vol. % in the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices and methods for inactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The compositions, methods, and devices may include coatings or slurries such as silicon nitride powder coatings or slurries for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture of silicon nitride implants with increased surface roughness and porosity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices and methods for inactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The compositions, methods, and devices may include coatings or slurries such as silicon nitride powder coatings or slurries for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for physical vapor deposition silicon nitride coatings. The methods thereof may include a creating a magnetically confined plasma near a surface of a silicon nitride. The plasma may cause positively charged energetic ions from the plasma to collide with negatively charged silicon nitride atoms, causing the silicon nitride atoms to be sputtered and deposited on a substrate such as titanium. The silicon nitride coating may be nitrogen-rich silicon nitride or silicon-rich silicon nitride.

Abstract: Methods for improving the wear performance of silicon nitride and/or other ceramic materials, particularly to make them more suitable for use in manufacturing biomedical implants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing the surface of a biomedical implant. The biomedical implant may be a zirconia-toughened alumina implant surface functionalized with silicon nitride powder for promoting osteogenesis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a ceramic or glass material component supersaturated in nitrogen are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a component typically comprises receiving the ceramic or glass material within a containment vessel; simultaneously heating and applying isostatic pressure to the ceramic or glass material within the containment vessel to a first temperature and a first pressure using pressurizing nitrogen gas; holding the first temperature and the first pressure for a period of time; cooling the ceramic or glass material within the containment vessel to a second temperature while maintaining the first pressure; and depressurizing the containment vessel to a second pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a component are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a component typically comprises blending a silicon nitride powder and a titanium alloy powder to form a combined powder; receiving the combined powder within a build chamber having a platform and a laser beam source configured to produce a laser beam; spreading a plurality of layers of the combined powder over the platform; fusing at least a portion of the combined powder in each of the plurality of layers using the laser beam, wherein each one of the plurality of layers is spread and the portion of the combined powder fused before another one of the plurality of layers is spread, wherein the laser beam is automatically guided by a 3D model of the component; and removing the combined powder that was not fused.

Abstract: Described herein are antipathogenic compositions comprising a nitride chosen from aluminum nitride, boron nitride, chromium nitride, cerium nitride, hafnium nitride, lanthanum nitride, phosphorous nitride, sulfur nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, vanadium nitride, yttrium nitride, zirconium nitride, silicon nitride, or combinations thereof, and methods of using said compositions to inactivate viruses, bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices and methods for inactivating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The compositions, methods, and devices may include coatings or slurries such as silicon nitride powder coatings or slurries for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and/or fungi.