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Molecular dynamic simulations of machining at the atomic scale can reveal a significant amount of information regarding the behavior of machining and grinding processes that cannot be explained easily using classical theory or experimental procedures. This chapter explains how the use of molecular dynamic simulations can be applied to the many problems associated with machining and grinding at the meso, micro, and nanoscales.

As one of the valve metals (including Ti, Al, Ta, Nb, V, Hf, W), titanium is protected by a thin titanium oxide layer which spontaneously forms on its surface when exposed to air or other oxygen containing environments. This oxide passive layer is typically 2 to 5 nm thick and is responsible for the well-documented corrosion resistance property of titanium and its alloys. Because of this and their excellent mechanical properties, titanium and its alloys are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2, titania) is a widely abundant and inexpensive material. In bulk form it is produced as a white powder and it is the most widely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index ( n =2.4). Applications include filler pigment in paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food products (such as E171, e.g., white lettering on M&Ms) and toothpaste. When deposited as a thin film, its refractive index and color make it an excellent reflective optical coating for dielectric mirrors.

The Corrosion behaviour of Nitinol wire that has been chemically etched and mechanically polished was studied in a corrosive 0.9% Saline solution. The electrochemical corrosion tests conducted on the as-received straight and curved wires of nitinol included open circuit potential measurement, polarisation resistance and Tafel plots. The chemically etched looped wires exhibited the highest recorded corrosion potential Ecorr and the lowest values of corrosion current icorr. The results of the open circuit potential (OCP) measurements and polarisation resistance, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the presence of a protective passive corrosion resistant film on the chemically etched wires.

Cardiovascular interventional and implantable devices must be safe and efficacious, as well as biocompatible. Surface treatment is of importance to the design and function of these devices. Lubricity, wear resistance, thrombogenicity, inflammation, and infections can all be affected significantly by surface treatments.

There are two types of artificial heart valves, namely, (i) biological valves and (ii) mechanical valves. Biological heart valves are made from tissue taken from animals or human cadavers. They are treated with preservatives and sterilized for human implantation.

Deposition technology has played a major part in the creation of today’s scientific devices. Computers, electronic equipment, biomedical implants, cutting tools, optical components, and automotive parts are all based on material structures created by thin film deposition processes.

Dental technology is a discipline of dentistry concerned with the custom manufacture of dental devices to meet the prescription of a dentist. From the earliest times missing teeth have been replaced with dentures or crowns made from a wide variety of materials including gold, human or animal teeth, bone and tusks, and wood.

Diamond is one of the most technologically advanced and potentially the most useful engineering material in existence today. The properties of synthetic diamond are very similar to that of single crystal diamond. Table 9.1 shows some of the key properties of synthetic diamond and single crystal diamond. It is well established that diamond has a unique combination of excellent physical, optical, chemical and biomedical properties [1–3].

The trend toward an aging population in the highly developed countries of the world has the demand for innovative biomedical devices and tools at record levels. The products desired in this market are typically smaller and more portable than their predecessors, and require more sophisticated components and allied manufacturing technologies and automation techniques. In essence, similar to traditional consumer products, biomedical devices such as patient monitors, drug deliver systems, therapeutic devices, and life assisting devices have all shrunk in size yet still have market expectations of enhanced performance characteristics and features [1–35].