Fabrication of scaffold is the key for bone tissue engineering, which is commonly regarded as the most potential route for repairing bone defects. Previously, porous ceramic scaffolds were fabricated through a variety of traditional methods, like moulding and casting, but most of them cannot produce customised tissue-engineered scaffolds. Therefore, 3D printing methods are gaining more attention and are currently being explored and developed to make scaffolds with acceptable biocompatibility. With the considerable development of bone tissue engineering, the bioactivity of scaffolds is becoming increasingly demanded, which leads to new methods and techniques to produce highly biomimetic bone scaffolds. In this study, a new fabrication process to optimise the structures of scaffolds was developed, and intensive researches were performed on the porous scaffolds to confirm their advantages in biological performance. Specifically, by combination of motor assisted extrusion deposition and gas-foaming (graphite as the porogen) technique, hierarchically porous scaffolds with improved microstructures, i.e. multi-scaled pores from nanometre to millimetre (nm-μm-mm), was successfully developed. In this thesis, the optimal content of porogen for scaffolds was studied in terms of compressive strength and in-rod porosities. The most concerned physicochemical properties of scaffolds were carefully examined and the results revealed that such scaffolds exhibit excellent physicochemical properties owing to hierarchically porous structures. Due to additional in-rod micropores and increased specific surface area, along with better hydrophilicity, hierarchically porous scaffolds exerted complete superiority in biological activity, including promoting cellular proliferation of osteoblasts, adhesion and spreading status, as well as the ability to induce cellular differentiation.

Breast implant capsular contracture (CC) formation is a significant clinical complication post augmentation/reconstruction, which often necessitates re-operation. CC, which occurs in over half of patients post augmentation, is the formation of a fibrous internal capsule which constricts around the prosthesis leading to firmness, deformity and pain. The pathoetiology of CC is poorly understood with minimal understanding of the triggers, signalling pathways or dysregulated genes implicated in its formation. Therefore, the first aim of the present thesis was to investigate biomarkers implicated in CC formation, through whole genome microarray, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on capsule samples ranging from normal capsules (Baker Grade 1) to severely contracted capsules (Baker Grade 4). After targeted enrichment analysis, microarray identified 6 genes which were significantly dysregulated in contracted capsules. After further genomic and proteomic validation, two potential diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic biomarkers for CC, interleukin 8 (IL8) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP 4), were identified as being significantly dysregulated in CC. However, the role of each of the multiple cell types which populate a contracted capsule has yet to be determined. Therefore, the role of capsular fibroblasts was investigated using immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCR, cytokine arrays and a fibroblast populated 3D collagen matrix. IL8 and TIMP were investigated, in addition to other pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammation related candidates, to identify the role of breast capsule fibroblasts in CC formation. Normal breast fibroblast populated collagen matrices were significantly more contracted after supplementation with contracted-capsule fibroblast conditioned media, in comparison to normal growth media. It was discovered that breast-derived fibroblasts were potentially instigating and/or perpetuating CC through the transformation of normal breast fibroblasts into contracted capsule fibroblast like cells, via a paracrine signalling mechanism. The results of this work on capsular fibroblasts, and the previous work on capsular tissue, increased our understanding of the cell types and signalling molecules which are dysregulated leading to CC formation. Therefore, a novel silicone implant surface potentially capable of averting CC formation could be fabricated. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been used as an adjunct in breast implant augmentation/reconstruction resulting in reduced rates of CC formation. Therefore, the micro and nanoscale topography of ADM was reproduced in a silicone surface, through a novel fabrication technique utilising comprehensive characterisation of ADM with atomic force microscopy (AFM), maskless grayscale photolithography, modified deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and replica moulding. The features of ADM were successfully re-created in silicone to within 5 nm (Sa) and 655 nm (Sz), at a length scale of 90x90 µm2. Biological evaluation revealed that ADM PDMS surfaces promoted cell adhesion, proliferation and survival when compared to commercially available implant surfaces while cell adhesion regulating genes were upregulated and pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic related genes were downregulated. A reduced inflammatory cytokine response was also observed. This study demonstrates that biomimetic prosthetic implant surfaces might significantly attenuate the acute in vitro foreign body reaction to silicone. In conclusion, the results of the present thesis have enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the pathological cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to CC, in addition to the design and development of a novel, biomimetic implant surface that is potentially capable of averting the identified pathological processes in vivo.

Le travail décrit dans cette thèse couvre une étude fondamentale sur des canaux artificiels d'eau et sur des matériaux membranaires incorporant ces canaux. Structuré en quatre chapitres, la thèse commence par une présentation de l'état de l’art sur les systèmes biomimétiques de transport d'eau et des membranes biomimétiques. Au centre de tous ces travaux de recherche sont les protéines biologiques hautement efficaces et sélectives, les Aquaporines. Le deuxième chapitre présente les canaux artificiels d'eau à base d'imidazole-quartet. Les similitudes structurelles et fonctionnelles avec les Aquaporines sont discutées et caractérisées par plusieurs méthodes expérimentales. Les structures à l'état solide obtenues à partir de monocristaux présentent une organisation très similaire des I-quartets avec leurs homologues biologiques. Le biomimétisme fonctionnel du transport de l'eau a été démontré par des expériences cinétiques de transport à travers des systèmes vésiculaires. Le mécanisme de translocation de l'eau et l'organisation confinée dans des environnements lipidiques a été confirmé par des simulations dynamiques moléculaires, tandis que la preuve physique de l'eau orientée dipolaire dans les canaux intégrés aux lipides a été fournie par des expériences de spectroscopie IR polarisée. Le troisième chapitre présente de nouveaux canaux d'eau artificiels en utilisant une stratégie d'auto-assemblage. De nouveaux composés à base de diol, de tétrazacrown et de tryarilamine capables de transporter l'eau sont décrits. Le dernier chapitre décrits le passage du niveau moléculaire aux matériaux membranaires macroscopiques incorporant des canaux d'eau artificiels. Deux configuration membranaires différentes ont été décrites: des membranes en couche mince par l'incorporation de nanoparticules à base d'imidazole dans des polymères de polyamide et des membranes de la cellulose régénérée chimiquement greffée par des monomères de canaux d'eau artificiels. Les membranes ont été caractérisées par diverses méthodes d'imagerie et d'analyse et leurs performances ont été testées dans des expériences d'osmose inverse et de filtration d'osmose directe. La thèse est conclue avec une partie de conclusion générale, comprenant des perspectives pour les développements futurs. / The work described in this thesis covers an in depth fundamental study of artificial water channels and of membrane materials incorporating these channels. Structured in four chapters, the thesis begins with a presentation of the state of the art in the field of biomimetic systems and membranes for water transport. The center of the described research work is the family of highly efficient and selective biological water transporter proteins, the Aquaporins. The second chapter presents the description of imidazole-quartet supramolecular artificial water channels. Structural and functional similarities with Aquaporins are discussed and based on several experimental methods. Single-solid state structures present very similar organization of confined water wires as found in their biological counterparts. Functional mimicry of water transport has been proved through stopped flow experiments in vesicular systems. Further characterization concerning water translocation mechanism and confined organization in lipid environments have been obtained through molecular dynamic simulations, while physical evidence of dipolar oriented water in lipid embedded channels has been provided by sum frequency generation experiments. The third chapter presents novel artificial water channels. New diol, tetrazacrown and tryarilamine based compounds have been described, with a main focus on design, synthesis, self-assembly and water transport properties. The last chapter makes the transition from the molecular systems to macroscopic membrane materials incorporating artificial water channels. Two different approaches have been described: thin film nanocomposite membranes based on the incorporation of imidazole-quartet nanoparticles in polyamide polymers and chemically grafted regenerated cellulose membrane through the use of custom monomers for the obtaining of artificial water channels. The membranes have been characterized through various imaging and analytical methods and their performances have been tested in reverse and forward osmosis experiments. The thesis is concluded with a general conclusion part, including perspectives for future developments.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia para a preparação de compósitos de polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS)/fosfato de cálcio elaborado mediante a técnica biomimética. O processo envolveu a precipitação de partículas de fosfato de cálcio dentro da matriz elastomérica de PDMS durante a elaboração do compósito. A composição química da fase de reforço foi avaliada mediante difração de raios X (DRX) e espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios X (EDS). Micrografias obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) mostraram partículas pequenas (200 nm) de fosfato de cálcio homogeneamente distribuídas e dispersas na superfície do compósito. A influência da fase de reforço na energia de superfície, resistência mecânica, bioatividade e viabilidade celular do compósito foram medidas. A incorporação das partículas no PDMS levou ao aumento dos valores da energia de superfície. Os resultados do ensaio de resistência mecânica à tração mostraram que o compósito elaborado com 25 %(v/v) de reforço apresentou um aumento de 15 % de resistência à tração com relação ao PDMS puro. O ensaio de biatividade in vitro mostrou que após de 7 dias de imersão em fluido biológico simulado (SBF), uma camada homogênea de cristais com a morfologia da hidroxiapatita foi precipitada na superfície do compósito, este resultado sugere que o compósito poderá demonstrar uma excelente bioatividade uma vez implantado in vivo. / The main objective of this study was to develop a method to prepare poly(dimetilsiloxane) (PDMS)/calcium phosphates composites by using the biomimetic technique. The process involved the precipitation of calcium phosphate particles within the PDMS matrix during the composite fabrication. The chemical composition of the filler phase was studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Scattering electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed tiny particles (200 nm) of calcium phosphate evenly distributed and dispersed on the composite surface. The influence of the filler phase on the composite surface energy, tensile strength, bioactivity and cellular viability were assessed. The incorporation of the particles to the PDMS led to higher surface energy values. The tensile measurements showed that the composite made with 25 %(v/v) of filler achieved a 15 % increased in the tensile strength, once compared to the pure PDMS. The in vitro bioactivity essay showed that after 7 days of soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) a homogeneous layer of HAp like crystals can be seen on the composite surface, this result suggested that the composite will demonstrate a excellent bioactivity once implanted in vivo.

Redes Neurais têm sido um tema de pesquisas por pelo menos sessenta anos. Desde a eficácia no processamento de informações à incrível capacidade de tolerar falhas, são incontáveis os mecanismos no cérebro que nos fascinam. Assim, não é nenhuma surpresa que, na medida que tecnologias facilitadoras tornam-se disponíveis, cientistas e engenheiros têm aumentado os esforços para o compreender e simular. Em uma abordagem semelhante à do Projeto Genoma Humano, a busca por tecnologias inovadoras na área deu origem a projetos internacionais que custam bilhões de dólares, o que alguns denominam o despertar global de pesquisa da neurociência. Avanços em hardware fizeram a simulação de milhões ou até bilhões de neurônios possível. No entanto, as abordagens existentes ainda não são capazes de fornecer a densidade de conexões necessária ao enorme número de neurônios e sinapses. Neste sentido, este trabalho propõe DHyANA (Arquitetura Digital Neuromórfica Hierárquica), uma nova arquitetura em hardware para redes neurais pulsadas, a qual utiliza comunicação em rede-em-chip hierárquica. A arquitetura é otimizada para implementações de Máquinas de Estado Líquido. A arquitetura DHyANA foi exaustivamente testada em plataformas de simulação, bem como implementada em uma FPGA Stratix IV da Altera. Além disso, foi realizada a síntese lógica em tecnologia 65nm, a fim de melhor avaliar e comparar o sistema resultante com projetos similares, alcançando uma área de 0,23mm2 e potência de 147mW para uma implementação de 256 neurônios. / Neural Networks has been a subject of research for at least sixty years. From the effectiveness in processing information to the amazing ability of tolerating faults, there are countless processing mechanisms in the brain that fascinates us. Thereupon, it comes with no surprise that as enabling technologies have become available, scientists and engineers have raised the efforts to understand, simulate and mimic parts of it. In a similar approach to that of the Human Genome Project, the quest for innovative technologies within the field has given birth to billion dollar projects and global efforts, what some call a global blossom of neuroscience research. Advances in hardware have made the simulation of millions or even billions of neurons possible. However, existing approaches cannot yet provide the even more dense interconnect for the massive number of neurons and synapses required. In this regard, this work proposes DHyANA (Digital HierArchical Neuromorphic Architecture), a new hardware architecture for a spiking neural network using hierarchical network-on-chip communication. The architecture is optimized for Liquid State Machine (LSM) implementations. DHyANA was exhaustively tested in simulation platforms, as well as implemented in an Altera Stratix IV FPGA. Furthermore, a logic synthesis analysis using 65-nm CMOS technology was performed in order to evaluate and better compare the resulting system with similar designs, achieving an area of 0.23mm2 and a power dissipation of 147mW for a 256 neurons implementation.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:53:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 aparecida_ah_me_araiq.pdf: 2281144 bytes, checksum: dea6a2f4d2dbe1a08aa508e8abc51b0d (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A atividade biológica do titânio comercialmente puro - Ti c.p. em relação aos tecidos duros é melhorada mediante a modificação de sua superfície empregando-se recobrimento com material bioativo. Um dos materiais bioativos mais utilizados é a Hidroxiapatita - HA, uma das fases das apatitas (fosfatos de cálcio de variadas razões Ca/P), principal constituinte mineral do tecido ósseo. Contudo, além da HA, vários outros fosfatos de cálcio também ocorrem em sistemas biológicos, tais como fosfato de cálcio amorfo – ACP, fosfato octacálcico – OCP e o fosfato tricálcico – TCP, aumentando o interesse nas possibilidades de uso destes materiais como biocerâmicas. Uma técnica de recobrimento muito utilizada nos últimos anos tem sido o Método Biomimético. Seu sucesso deve-se à utilização de uma solução similar ao fluido corpóreo, denominada Synthetic Body Fluid – SBF, que propicia a mimetização do processo biológico realizado para a formação dos tecidos duros. O crescimento da HA e de outras apatitas, tanto no meio biológico quanto em SBF, ocorre em meio contendo, além de íons Ca2+ e PO4 3-, íons-traços essenciais tais como: Mg2+, HCO3 -, K+ e Na+. Alguns destes íons são conhecidos como inibidores do crescimento da HA, como Mg2+ e HCO3 -. Neste trabalho, estudou-se a influência dos íons K+, Mg2+, SO4 2- e HCO3 - na formação de apatitas, principalmente HA, sobre substratos metálicos de Ti c.p. previamente tratados com NaOH 5M. Os efeitos destes íons nos recobrimentos obtidos foram analisados antes e após tratamento térmico a 800ºC por microscopia eletrônica de varredura - MEV, espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios X - EDX, difratometria de raios X - DRX e espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Os resultados mostraram que o crescimento de ACP foi favorecido pela presença dos íons Mg2+ e CO3 2- na solução... / The biological activity of commercially pure titanium - c.p. Ti in relation to hard tissues is improved by modifying its surface using coating with bioactive materials. One of the bioactive materials most used is Hydroxyapatite - HA, one of the phases of the apatites (calcium phosphates of varied Ca/P reasons), main mineral constituent of the bone tissue. However, beyond the HA, several other calcium phosphates also occur in biological systems, such as amorphous calcium phosphate - ACP, octacalcium phosphate - OCP and tricalcium phosphate - TCP, increasing the interest in the possibilities of use of these materials as bioceramics. One technique of coating very used in the last years has been the Biomimetic Method. Its success must it the use of a similar solution to the corporeal fluid, called Synthetic Body Fluid - SBF, that propitiates the imitation of the carried through biological process for the formation of hard tissues. The growth of the HA and other apatites, as much in the biological environment as in aqueous solution as the SBF, occurs environment containing, beyond calcium and phosphate ions, essential ion-traces such as: Mg2+, HCO3-, K+ and Na+. Some of these elements are known as inhibiting of the growth of the HA, as Mg2+ and HCO3-. In this work, it was studied it influence of íons K+, Mg2+, SO42- and HCO3- in the formation of apatites, mainly HA, on metallic substrate of Ti c.p. previously treated with NaOH 5M. The effects of these ions in the obtained coating, before and after the thermal treatment at 800ºC, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy - SEM, energy dispersive X-rays - EDX, X-ray diffractometer - XRD and Fourier transformation infrared - FT-IR. The results had shown that the growth of ACP was favored by the presence of íons Mg2+ and CO32- in the solution, being also favored its transformation the OCP before the thermal treatment.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-01-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_jag_dr_guara.pdf: 2054384 bytes, checksum: 2056494b4d46299584c8acf22e9f6838 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Os Biomateriais Metálicos são utilizados para reforçar ou para restaurar a forma e função de tecidos duros. Os implantes e próteses são utilizados para substituir ombros, joelhos, quadris e dentes perdidos entre outros. Nos últimos anos, varias ligas de titânio para aplicações biomédicas foram avaliadas. Neste trabalho, a influência do tratamento de superfície biomimético na osseointegração de implantes dentários da liga Ti-7,5Mo foi avaliada. Os lingotes foram obtidos a partir de titânio e molibdênio utilizando um forno a arco voltaico. Eles foram submetidos a tratamento térmico e conformados a frio em prensa rotativa. Posteriormente foram confeccionados implantes (2,0 mm de diâmetro e 2,5 mm de comprimento) sob medida os quais submetidos ao tratamento de superfície biomimético. Os implantes foram inseridos e analisados histológica realizada após 28 dias. A caracterização microestrutural e mecânica da liga Ti-7,5Mo também foi realizada. Aliga Ti-7,5Mo exibiu baixo modulo de elasticidade e elevada relação resistência/modulo. O uso do tratamento de superfície biomimético promoveu um aumento da osseointegração sobre a superfície dos implantes / Metallic biomaterials are used to reinforce or to restore form and function of hard tissues. Implants and prosthesis are used to replace shoulders, knees, hips and teeth. In the last years, several titanium alloys for biomedical applications have been studied. In the present work, influence of biomimetic surface treatment in osseointegration of Ti-7.5Mo dental implant was evaluated. Ingots were obtained from titanium and molybdenum by using an arc-melting furnace. They were submitted to heat treatment and cold worked by swaging. Then, screw-shaped implants (2.0 mm diameter by 2.5 mm length) were custom made and they were submitted biomimetic surface treatment. Implants were implanted in the rat’s femur and histological analysis was realized after 28 days. Also, microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-7.5Mo alloy were evaluated. Ti-7.5Mo showed low elasticity modulus and higher ratio strength/modulus. Results obtained suggest that Ti-7.5Mo exhibited excellent bulk properties. The use of the biomimetic surface treatment was able to promote an increase of osseointegration on surface of dental implants

Changes in the biomechanical properties of cells accompanying the development of various pathological conditions have been increasingly reported as biomarkers for various diseases and as a predictor of disease progression stages. For instance, cancer cells have been found to be less stiff compared to their healthy counterparts due to the proteomic and lipidomic dysregulations conferred by the underlying pathology. The separation and selective recovery of cells or extracellular vesicles secreted from such cells that have undergone these changes have been suggested to be of diagnostic and prognostic value. This dissertation first describes the implementation of a stiffness-based separation of phosphatidylcholine-based vesicles using a method first introduced based on the research in this work and was dubbed thermally-assisted acoustophoresis, or thermo-acoustophoresis. By tuning the temperature, we achieved the separation of vesicles of the same size, shape, and charge but with different stiffness values. It was observed that at a specific transition point, the acoustic contrast factor of vesicles changed sign from positive to negative. This change was mainly due to change in the compressibility of the vesicles, which is inversely proportional to stiffness. The acoustic contrast temperature (Tϕ), corresponding to the temperature at which the contrast factor switches sign, was determined to be unique to the composition of the vesicles. This unique temperature signature allowed us to develop this separation method of vesicles with distinct membrane stiffness with target outlet purities exceeding 95%. We have further explored the functionality of this method by experimenting with cholesterol-containing vesicles. In cells, the cholesterol content plays a crucial role in determining stiffness. Changes in the cholesterol content in cellular membranes can be an indication of pathological disorders. We evaluated the Tϕ of vesicles at different cholesterol molar ratios (Xchol) and developed a multi-stage lab-on-a-chip method to accomplish for the first time the separation of a three-vesicle mixture. Using Xchol = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 vesicles, we obtained efficiencies exceeding 93%. The simplicity, rapidity, and label-free nature of this approach holds promise as a diagnostic and separation tool for cells affected by diseases that affect the stiffness and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes and microvesicles.

abstract: Humanity’s demand for energy is increasing exponentially and the dependence on fossil fuels is both unsustainable and detrimental to the environment. To provide a solution to the impending energy crisis, it is reasonable to look toward utilizing solar energy, which is abundant and renewable. One approach to harvesting solar irradiation for fuel purposes is through mimicking the processes of natural photosynthesis in an artificial design to use sunlight and water to store energy in chemical bonds for later use. Thus, in order to design an efficient energy conversion device, the underlying processes of the natural system must be understood. An artificial photosynthetic device has many components and each can be optimized separately. This work deals with the design, construction and study of some of those components. The first chapter provides an introduction to this work. The second chapter shows a proof of concept for a water splitting dye sensitized photoelectrochemical cell followed by the presentation of a new p-type semiconductor, the design of a modular cluster binding protein that can be used for incorporating catalysts, and a new anchoring group for semiconducting oxides with high electron injection efficiency. The third chapter investigates the role of electronic coupling and thermodynamics for photoprotection in artificial systems by triplet-triplet energy transfer from tetrapyrroles to carotenoids. The fourth chapter describes a mimic of the proton-coupled electron transfer in photosystem II and confirms that in the artificial system a concerted mechanism operates. In the fifth chapter, a microbial system is designed to work in tandem with a photovoltaic device to produce high energy fuels. A variety of quinone redox mediators have been synthesized to shuttle electrons from an electron donor to the microbial system. Lastly, the synthesis of a variety of photosensitizers is detailed for possible future use in artificial systems. The results of this work helps with the understanding of the processes of natural photosynthesis and suggests ways to design artificial photosynthetic devices that can contribute to solving the renewable energy challenge. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemistry 2015

Le domaine des couches minces fait l’objet d’un grand nombre d’études en raison du vaste champ d’applications. La modification de surfaces par des revêtements sous forme de couches minces a ainsi été étudiée dans le domaine biomédical afin d’améliorer les propriétés de bioactivité et biocompatibilité des matériaux. Des couches minces monocouches, Ta et TaN, ainsi que bi-couches, TaN/Ta, ont été déposées sur des substrats de verre, d’acier, SS316LVM, et de titane par pulvérisation cathodique. La caractérisation des couches par diffraction des rayons X (XRD and GIXRD) a montré que la nature du substrat a une forte influence sur la nature de la phase, Ta, formée. La formation de la phase ordonnée, Ta-a, est obtenue sur le substrat acier alors que la phase désordonnée métastable, Ta-b, se forme sur le substrat titane. Quant à la phase TaN, elle cristallise sous la forme cubique de type NaCl (Fm3m) sur les différents substrats mais présente une orientation préférentielle selon le plan (200) dans le cas du substrat verre. L’étude de la composition chimique par XPS a montré que les couches sont également constituées de phases oxydes, telles que TaxOy et TaOxNy, en raison de la forte affinité du tantale avec l’oxygène. Les observations en microscopie électronique à balayage ont mis en évidence une croissance colonnaire des couches avec une microstructure de surface dite de type « chou-fleur ». Cette microstructure est caractéristique du procédé de pulvérisation cathodique et correspond à la microstructure dite de zone I prédite par le modèle de Thornton, dérivé du modèle de Movchan and Demchishin. Des méthodes biomimétiques ont été utilisées afin d’évaluer la bioactivité des couches minces étudiées. Dans ce but, les échantillons ont été immergés dans un fluide biologique (SBF, Simulated Body Fluid) afin de promouvoir le dépôt de phosphate de calcium. Après étude de fluides de compositions différentes, le fluide SBF 1.5, enrichi en ions Ca2 + and PO43-, a été choisi. Les analyses par XRD, FTIR et XPS ont mis en évidence la formation en surface d’une couche cristalline d’hydroxyapatite quelle que soit la nature des sous-couches, Ta, TaN ou TaN/Ta, après immersion de trois semaines. Le mécanisme de dépôt d’hydroxyapatite implique la formation de liaisons Ta-OH par hydratation de la couche passive d’oxyde de tantale présente en surface.Pour étudier les propriétés de biocompatibilité, les échantillons ont été placés en milieux de culture contenant des ostéoblastes. Tous les matériaux observés présentent une adhésion des cellules en surface avec la formation de filipodia. L’un des principaux problèmes des implants osseux est la formation en surface d’un biofilm du à la colonisation de bactéries. Des essais en milieu bactériologique ont donc été réalisés avec des bactéries de type Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, agents pathogènes très fréquemment observés lors d’opérations chirurgicales. Ces essais expérimentaux ont permis de déterminer la réaction des différents matériaux étudiés au contact de ces bactéries. Il s’est avéré que l’adjonction de couches de tantale permet de réduire fortement la formation de bio-films en comparaison avec des couches de titane, qui présentent une croissance importante de bio-films à base de P. aeruginosa.Des films minces de silice ont également été étudiés en tant qu’agents bactéricides. Ces études ont montré l’absence de colonies microbiennes et l’absence de la formation de bio-films en surface. / Thin films have been the subject of intense study in materials because they offer multiple applications of great interest. Various surfaces have been modified with thin films or coatings to study how to improve their bioactivity and biocompatibility properties to form a biomaterial. Thin films of Ta, TaN and Ta/TaN were deposited on glass substrates, metallic substrates, SS316LVM and Ti, by RF Sputtering technique. By High angle XRD and GIXRD it was found that the nature of the substrate has a strong influence on the Ta phase formed. Formation of ordered α-Ta phase was obtained on SS316LVM, but the disordered metastable β-Ta phase was formed on Ti and on TaN substrates. While TaN crystallizes in the cubic phase (Fm3m) NaCl type on metallic substrates but shows a preferential orientation in the (200) plane on the glass substrate. The chemical analysis of the surfaces by XPS reveals that in the surfaces of the deposited layers are several oxidized chemical species such as Ta2O5, TaOxNy TaxOy due to Ta is a very reactive metal and is readily oxidized even at low partial pressures as for our synthesis conditions. Characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals that the microstructure of the films was homogeneous with small clusters size and a cauliflower type, also the films exhibit the typical columnar growth for films deposited by PVD techniques, following the growth of zone I described by the model developed by Movchan and Demchisin and Thornton. Biomimetic method was used to evaluate the bioactivity in all surfaces which involves immersing the thin films in simulated body fluid (SBF) to promote the deposition of calcium phosphates, two concentrations were used to assess qualitatively which could deposit the stoichiometric calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite and make it more efficiently. The SBF 1.5 enriched in Ca2 + and PO43- ions was chosen. A new layer was deposited upon the surfaces and it was determined by XRD, FTIR and XPS that crystalline Hydroxyapatite phase was formed, so that all our surfaces have the ability to form apatite spontaneously after an immersion period of three weeks. The mechanism of deposition of HAp involves the formation of small amounts of Ta-OH groups by a hydration of the tantalum oxide passive layer on its surface. To study biocompatibility properties, films were placed in cell culture containing osteoblasts, all surfaces exhibit cell adhesion and formation of filipodia. Whereas one of the main problems of bone implants is biofilm formation caused by bacterial colonization, tests were made with the bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, which is a major human opportunistic pathogens in surgical procedures, causing infections in soft tissue, bones, among others. This assay allowed us to know how the different surfaces react when exposed to this bacteria, Titanium had greater growth of P. aeruginosa and biofilm formation in all periods of study, while Ta surfaces showed the lowest activity of biofilm formation. Mesoporous silica thin films where used as bactericidal agents, and it was found by MEB that no microbial colonization or biofilm formation occur on these surfaces.