This research area focuses in the development of lifetime predictions for skeletal implants, to establish reliable long term clinical predictions from short term laboratory tests.
Research to perform laboratory wear tests on hip replacements, with the ultimate aim to develop methodologies for predicting clinical wear in novel material combinations, is currently being undertaken. Current activities involve developing a novel approach for accelerating wear processes, within physiologically relevant parameters, such as those that occur under increased activities in combination with damaged femoral heads. Recent funding has enabled work to evaluate novel coatings for metal on metal bearings to be initiated.