Although the implantation of hip joints and other bone replacements are an astounding success, they are plagued by a relative short life span of the patient who receives the implant. Thus, it is necessary to develop new materials which will have longer life and greater biocompatibility. The purpose of this research is to develop a new type of material, called a composite, that results from combining several materials into a more optimal single material. These new materials should be a major improvement for use in the construction of implantable devices. There will also be development of new testing techniques which will most likely affect other areas of materials research as well.
