Maria received her bachelor’s and master degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Leibniz Universität Hannover in Germany. During her studies she wrote her project thesis in the AnyBody Group of John Rasmussen in Aalborg, Denmark, using the human simulation software AnyBody. For her master studies she developed a finite-element-model of the femur, simulating gait with and without implants. Maria is currently working on his PhD in the CuraBone project on how to develop a bioresorbable bone plate for cranio-maxillofacial applications.

PhD Project
Maria develops and validates a bioresorbable bone plate that can in future be used for cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) surgery. Multiple possible materials will be investigated during her project. Mechanical testing data of Titanium implants will be used to validate a finite element model that can predict mechanical strength. Additionally, a material degradation model will be developed and validated to predict mechanical strength over time. Lastly, a physiological model including bone healing simulation will be developed to simulate the post-op situation. With these models, the performance of a bioresorbable implant can be simulated during the healing process. The developed models will be used to adapt the current implant design to ensure equivalent mechanical strength and functional performance to Titanium implants.

Maria Hilvert