Nanotechnology has revolutionized numerous industries, from space exploration to medicine. Building off of our success developing nanotextured medical devices now in over 40,000 patients with no cases of failure (the industry average for non-nanotextured medical devices is 5 - 10% mostly failing due to infection), this presentation will highlight our use of 4D printed medical devices. 4D printing refers to 3D printed materials that can change shape with time after implantation. Here, we will present novel 4D printed materials used to reverse scoliosis (spine curvature), release antibiotics on demand to reverse infection, return motor function to spinal disc collapse, and more. This talk will cover in vivo assessment, where simple near-infrared (NIR) stimulation of such materials causes them to change shape in a controllable and predictable manner to treat numerous diseases. In contrast to today’s static implants, which do not change shape with time, this study introduces a new field of medical devices (4D prining) destined for success.

Thomas J. Webster’s (H index: 135) degrees are in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (B.S., 1995; USA) and in biomedical engineering from RPI (Ph.D., 2000; USA). He has formed over a dozen companies who have numerous FDA approved medical products currently improving human health in over 30,000 patients. He currently serves as CSO of Novaurum whom is pioneering the use of ALD in medical devices. He is also currently serving as a professor at Brown University, Saveetha University, Hebei University of Technology, UFPI, and others.  Dr. Webster has numerous awards including: 2020, World Top 2% Scientist by Citations (PLOS); 2020, SCOPUS Highly Cited Research (Top 1% Materials Science and Mixed Fields); 2021, Clarivate Top 0.1% Most Influential Researchers (Pharmacology and Toxicology); 2022, Best Materials Science Scientist by Citations (Research.com); and is a fellow of over 8 societies.  Prof. Webster is a former President of the U.S. Society for Biomaterials and has over 1,350 publications to his credit with over 55,000 citations. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Prof. Webster also recently formed a fund to support Nigerian student research opportunities in the U.S.