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Biodegradable Piezoelectric Materials for Real-Time Health Monitoring: Fabrication, Optimization, and Characterization using a Novel THz-TDS Characterization Method

PhD defence, Monday 10 February 2025, Youssif Merhi

Youssif Merhi

Biodegradable devices, which naturally break down after fulfilling their purpose, can potentially eliminate the need for surgical removal, thereby decreasing patient risks and healthcare costs while providing eco-friendly solutions for post-surgical care and wearable medical devices. During his PhD studies, Youssif Merhi developed a cost-effective method to manufacture biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and enhanced its piezoelectric properties using various post-processing techniques. A significant advancement of the project was the creation of a new Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) technique, offering valuable insights into the crystallinity and molecular orientation of PLLA, which were validated by traditional methods techniques.

The optimized PLLA was used to create piezoelectric sensors that monitor strain and pressure under psychological conditions tested using an in vitro aortic valve model. This work provides a foundation for advancing sustainable and biodegradable materials in medical technology.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by Youssif Merhi
 

Time: Monday, 10th February 2025 at 11 AM.
Place: 5123-313, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Finlandsgade 22, 8200 Aarhus N
Contact Information:
Youssif Merhi, e-mail: youssifm@ece.au.dk, tel.: +45 2391 8888
Members of the Assessment Committee:

  • Professor Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Southern University of Denmark
  • Tenure-Track Professor Giuseppe Cantarella, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • Associate Professor Kaare Mikkelsen (chair), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main Supervisor:

Associate Professor Shweta Agarwala, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisors:
Associate Professor Pernille Klarskov Pedersen, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Associate Professor Peter Johansen, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English.

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