We will demonstrate the experimental setup for high-throughput robotic testing of metallic materials, including those coated by PEO, in complex aqueous environments. The custom-designed robotic platform is capable of precise powder dispensing by analytical balance, multi-channel electrolyte dosing, mixing and aspiration, pH adjustment, batch-removal of corrosion products (e.g. by chromic acid), QR code labeling/reading, measuring weight loss, collecting electrochemical data and image acquisition, among other tasks. Over a hundred organic compounds, including those possessing biological functions, have been tested towards measuring their Mg dissolution modulation efficiency, as one of the target property. Experimental testing is closely linked with computational Machine-Learning methods, enabling in silico screening among the vast field of potentially useful molecules.This complex approach enables data-driven identification of new, highly efficient dissolution modulators for bare or PEO-coated Mg alloys. Combining dissolution modulation with other target properties enables smart surface functionalization of PEO treated alloys.

RESOLOY® is a rare-earth magnesium alloy developed for biodegradable cardiovascular stents. This study investigates the influence of Dy content on key material properties to support specification setting and manufacturing integration. RESOLOY® alloys with 8–14 wt.% Dy were produced and characterized at various stages of manufacturing—cast, bar, and tube—as well as in laser-cut stent form. Microstructural evolution, mechanical performance and in vitro degradation were assessed using light/SEM imaging, mechanical testing, and buffered PBS immersion at 37°C. Results showed that hardness and tensile strength increased with rising Dy content, with a slight reduction in ductility. Degradation rates also trended higher at Dy levels above 12 wt.%, though microstructure and grain size remained largely stable. The formation of long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases was found to influence degradation homogeneity. Importantly, cardiovascular stents manufactured from these alloys retained mechanical integrity and exhibited controlled degradation across the Dy range, confirming clinical relevance. Based on the property trends and manufacturability, a Dy specification range of 9–11 wt.% was defined as optimal. Several Dy-sensitive properties were identified that can serve as early-stage quality control markers, supporting efficient and targeted verification of tube production batches. While alloy composition within this range proved robust, future improvements may benefit more from processing optimization than compositional changes. This study demonstrates how detailed property tracking across production stages can guide specification development and quality control integration in the context of regulatory-grade magnesium alloys for biomedical use.

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) implants are increasingly explored as temporary solutions in biomedical applications. However, their clinical translation is challenged by complex and not fully understood corrosion mechanisms in physiological environments. Among key factors, trace elements such as Fe, Zn, and Cu significantly influence Mg degradation behavior. In this work, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (eQCM) was used to monitor interfacial reactions during Mg exposure to Fe-containing environments, while Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) enabled sensitive mapping of trace element distributions on Mg surfaces. The combined approach offers new insights into the interplay between trace impurities and Mg corrosion processes. These findings contribute to advancing the understanding of Mg degradation and to the future development of more reliable biodegradable implants.

Biodegradable Fe–Mn–C–Cu alloys were produced via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, presenting tailored properties for temporary implants. Cu addition improved degradation rate and antibacterial activity without compromising mechanical performance. The fully austenitic microstructure makes these alloys compatible with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, promising for next-generation biodegradable implants.

Inhomogeneous degradation of Mg results in a potential safety risk for the application of its implants. The particular concern is the occurrence of localized accelerated degradation of Mg under the relatively enclosed condition. The present work investigated such a phenomenon using the Mg-4Zn tube in artificial blood plasma. Its occurrence mechanism was explored through elaborate experiments, including the hydrodynamic platform, real-time electrochemical detection, COMSOL simulation, and morphological observations. It is found the deficiency of Ca2+ and PO43+ in the localized solution induced by the excessively high pH value was responsible for its occurrence.

The Mg-alloy WE43 is of great interest for biodegradable implants. However, Mg-based material carry the risk of inhomogeneous degradation. Electropolishing has developed into a promising surface treatment for Mg materials, but local property changes in the microstructure limit the quality level of electropolished surfaces which can be decisive for subsequent corrosion processes. The aim of the study was to investigate the degradation of electropolished WE43 with (1) coarse, (2) dissolved and (3) finely dispersed precipitates to obtain a correlation of bulk heat treatment and corrosion behaviour after electropolishing for this bioresorbable metal. WE43 discs with a surface area of 1 cm² were used as working material. The samples were first solution annealed (T4) at 540°C for 4h. Half of them were then immediately aged (T6) at 300°C for 1h. Electropolishing was carried out at 21°C in a mixture of phosphoric acid, ethanol and deionized water in a ratio of 40:56:4 at a voltage of 2 V up to 18C. The degradation behaviour was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization using the electrolyte Dulbecco's Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM). The corroded surface areas were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical surface treatment led to a significant reduction in the corrosion rate (< 0.1 mm/year). The lowest degradation rates of electropolished WE43 were found in the initial and T6 condition. However, the solution annealed and aged alloy showed a less attacked surface in DMEM and the most homogeneous corrosion morphology. The needle-shaped precipitates after T6 led to uniform material removal during electropolishing and thus contributed corrosion resistance, while the coarse secondary phases in the initial state caused irregularities on the electropolished surface. The best relation of moderate corrosion rate and regular corrosion morphology was found with finely precipitated, electropolished WE43. The electrochemical results confirmed that the microstructure plays an important role for subsequent electropolishing, suggesting that the corrosion behaviour of electropolished surfaces can be modified via heat treatment by changing the amount and size of precipitates.

Bone is the second most transplanted tissue worldwide, underscoring the clinical demand for effective solutions to repair skeletal defects. Magnesium-based alloys offer a compelling alternative to permanent implants due to their mechanical compatibility with bone, biodegradability, and inherent biocompatibility. However, their rapid corrosion in physiological environments hinders clinical use. This study investigates calcium phosphate chemical conversion treatments (CaP) and dual CaP–polylactic acid (PLA) coating system on WE43, with the aim of reducing the corrosion rate and ensuring sustained mechanical support during the tissue healing process in orthopaedic applications. The surface of extruded T5 WE43 coupons was subjected to a chemical conversion process using phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate, followed by the application of a biodegradable PLA coating. The coatings were characterized through a combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess surface morphology, elemental composition, and crystalline phases. Corrosion behaviour was evaluated in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) with calcium ions, and long-term degradation was studied through hydrogen evolution tests. Results revealed that the untreated WE43 surface exhibited a smooth, featureless morphology, while the CaP layer displayed a densely packed, plate-like crystalline structure. The addition of PLA further smoothed and homogenized the surface, suggesting enhanced wettability and potential for improved tissue integration. Potentiodynamic polarization tests demonstrated that the CaP and CaP-PLA coatings reduced the initial corrosion rate, with PLA providing extended protection over time. These findings indicate that the CaP-PLA coating system effectively delays corrosion and maintains mechanical integrity, making it a promising solution for magnesium-based alloys in bone-contact applications.

Fe–Mn steels are promising candidates for load-bearing biodegradable implants due to their mechanical strength and degradability. Their surface performance can be enhanced through coatings with elements such as Zn and Ag, known for their antimicrobial and osteogenic properties. However, high Mn content leads to a strong tendency toward oxidation, significantly affecting interfacial reactions with Zn- and Ag-based liquids. This study investigates the wetting and interfacial behavior of Fe–12Mn–1.2C steel with two different surface chemistries: mechanically polished (MP) and oxygen-implanted (PO) via plasma treatment. The substrates were tested with molten Zn, Ag, and Zn–Ag alloys (2.5 and 7 wt%) under controlled high-temperature conditions using sessile drop tests. Starting materials and post-test cross sections were characterized by SEM–EDS, TEM, XPS, and 3D profilometry. XPS analysis confirmed that PO-treated surfaces developed a uniform oxide film (~100 nm) without metallic Mn or Fe, unlike MP samples that retained a native mixed-oxide layer with residual metallic elements. Zn and Zn–Ag alloys exhibited reactive wetting on MP substrates, with contact angles θ steadily decreasing and stabilizing below 20° after 200 s, indicating ideal wetting. Conversely, no wetting was observed on PO substrates, where θ remained above 140°. Ag showed a distinct, non-reactive wetting behavior, stabilizing at ~ 65° on both MP and PO substrates without forming interfacial reaction layers. Cross-sectional analyses revealed the formation of Fe–Zn and Fe–Zn–Ag intermetallic layers at Zn-based interfaces on MP surfaces, while Ag interfaces showed no such reactivity. Among all systems, Zn7Ag on MP-Hadfield exhibited the most favorable wetting and interfacial morphology, making it a strong candidate for further evaluation in terms of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for biomedical use.