Researchers from the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Prashanth Konda Gokuldoss and Mayank Kumar Yadav, have developed a new type of metal implant designed to support bone healing. Their work has been published in the journal Advanced Light Materials. The researchers created a hybrid implant that combines a stronger titanium alloy framework with zinc, a metal that can slowly dissolve inside the body. This design allows the implant to provide mechanical support while gradually creating space for new bone growth. The study introduces a new manufacturing approach that combines 3D printing (additive manufacturing) with pressure assisted sintering (spark plasma sinteing) to produce this metallic implant. The development addresses a key challenge in orthopedic implants providing strong support while avoiding problems that occur when implants are much stiffer than natural bone, which can weaken the surrounding bone over time and sometimes lead to additional surgeries.

Facial expressions serve as a crucial medium for human emotional communication. Based on duration and intensity, expressions can be categorized into macro-expressions and micro-expressions. Characterized by their involuntary and fleeting nature (lasting less than 0.5 seconds), micro-expressions (MEs) hold significant value in fields such as business negotiations, criminal investigations, and clinical diagnosis due to their uncontrollable properties.