Work

Fabrication and validation of new tissue equivalent heterogeneous composite materials as neonatal and pediatric cranial bone substitutes in diagnostic radiology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores the development of heterogeneous composite materials as pediatric cranial bone substitutes by incorporating sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate within an epoxy resin matrix . The aim was to tailor the material’s radiation interaction properties for various pediatric age groups. The fabrication involved mixing specific percentages of fillers for uniform dispersion in epoxy resin , followed by curing. Monte Carlo simulations evaluated the materials’ attenuation properties, revealing varying percent differences in mass attenuation compared to ICRU-reported values of compact and cortical bones. For infant bone material, the differences averaged 34.3 % and 37.5 %, while those for children aged 1–5 years were 13.4 % and 19.3 %, and for children over 5 years, 5.96 % and 12.8 %. Hounsfield Unit values ranged from 576 ± 30 for infants to 952 ± 18 for children aged 10–15 years. Good agreement was demonstrated with pediatric bone tissues, showing the composite’s potential for mimicking pediatric cranial bone.

Source: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2025.165671

Authors: H. Sekkat, A. Khallouqi, A. Halimi, O.El Rhazouani

Institution: Université Hassan 1er

Language: English

Topic: Radiation Shielding Materials Analysis

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,810