Repair Applications Research Articles

Advances in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles and biomaterial assemblies for endometrial injury treatment.

Endometrial injury caused by repeated uterine procedures, infections, inflammation, or uterine artery dysfunction can deplete endometrial stem/progenitor cells and impair regeneration, thereby diminishing endometrial receptivity and evidently lowering the live birth, clinical pregnancy, and embryo implantation rates. Currently, safe and effective clinical treatment methods or gene-targeted therapies are unavailable, especially for severe endometrial injury. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles are characterized by their simple collection, rapid proliferation, low immunogenicity, and tumorigenicity, along with their involvement in regulating angiogenesis, immune response, cell apoptosis and proliferation, inflammatory response, and fibrosis, Therefore, these cells and vesicles hold broad potential for application in endometrial repair. This article reviewed recent research on human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as well as their extracellular vesicles in repairing endometrial injury.

Photocontrolled Bionic Micro-Nano Hydrogel System used Novel Functional Strategy for Cell Delivery and Large-Scale Corneal Repair.

Reproducing the microstructure of the natural cornea remains a significant challenge in achieving the mechanical and biological functionality of artificial corneas. Therefore, the development of cascade structures that mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), achieving both macro-stability and micro-structure, is of critical importance. This study proposes a novel, efficient, and general photo-functionalization strategy for modifying natural biomaterials. Collagen microfibers obtained through electrospinning are functionalized with an active N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester, to impart light-curing ability. This approach expands the construction of photo-controllable hydrogel systems beyond conventional single methacrylate (MA) modifications or di-tyrosine bonding, enabling integration with other biomaterials for comprehensive ECM remodeling. Subsequently, the collagen microfibers are then photo-embedded into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) via covalent crosslinking to form a fibrous hydrogel, which supports both structural and functional requirements. In terms of biological functionality, the hydrogel promotes significant inward migration and retention of human corneal fibroblasts (hCFs), replicating ECM-like environments. Furthermore, its excellent burst resistance suggests potential as a bioadhesive. In a rabbit model, the hydrogel achieved effective repair of large-sized (6 mm) corneal defects, facilitates epithelial migration, and maintained long-term stability. This work provides valuable guidance for designing efficient and simplified bioactive materials for corneal repair and broader tissue engineering applications.

The impact of absorbable hemostatic agents on wound healing in an experimental penile fracture rat model

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of two absorbable hemostatic agents, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and gelatin sponge, on wound healing in a rat model of penile fracture.Materials and methodsA total of 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), Primary Suturing (PS), ORC, and Gelatin Sponge (GS). A penile fracture model was created in all rats, and wound healing was assessed histopathologically after two weeks. Key parameters assessed included primary healing, fibrosis, inflammation, and cavernous tissue healing.ResultsThe ORC group showed significantly higher primary healing rates (100%) compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). Fibrosis was more common in the GS group (87.5%), whereas no fibrosis was observed in the ORC group (p < 0.01). In terms of cavernous tissue healing, the group treated with the ORC absorbable hemostatic agent demonstrated significantly higher healing rates compared to the control group (p = 0.000). No significant differences were observed between groups regarding inflammation.ConclusionORC absorbable hemostatic agents significantly promote primary wound healing and reduce fibrosis in an experimental penile fracture model, whereas the gelatin sponge was associated with increased fibrosis and did not improve healing. These findings suggest that ORC may have potential clinical applications in penile fracture repair. Further clinical studies are necessary to validate these results.

Improved Black Phosphorus Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Bone Defect Repairing: Mechanisms for Advancing Osteogenesis.

Bone defects caused by fractures and diseases often do not heal spontaneously. They require external agents for repair and regeneration. Bone tissue engineering is emerging as a promising alternative to traditional therapies like autografts and allografts. Nanobiomaterials enhance osteoblast resistance to harsh environments by promoting cell differentiation. Black phosphorus (BP), a novel 2D material in biomedicine, displays unique osteogenic and antimicrobial properties. However, BP nanosheets still face clinical limitations like rapid degradation and high-dose cytotoxicity. To address these, the introduction of amino-silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc-NH2) is investigated to see if it can enhance BP dispersion, reduce BP oxidation, and improve stability and safety for better osteogenesis and antibacterial effects through noncovalent interactions (van der Waals, π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions). Here, the self-healing hydrogel is successfully designed using a step-by-step co-assembly of BP and SiPc-NH2. SiPc-NH2 as a "structural stabilizer" of BP nanosheets reconstructed well-dispersed BP-SiPc-NH2 nanosheets, which improves the biocompatibility of BP, reduces oxidation and enhances photothermal conversion, guaranteeing osteogenic and antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, findings show BP-SiPc-NH2-induced mitochondrial changes support osteogenesis by regulating the crosstalk between Hippo and Wnt signaling pathways-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis, and boosting cellular bioenergetics. Overall, this mitochondrial morphology-based BP-SiPc-NH2 strategy holds great promise for bone repair applications.

Research and engineering application of DED laser cladding repair for steam turbine XM-25 alloy LP blades

High-strength martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel XM-25, characterised by its high strength, high hardness, and good workability, has been utilised in engineering as the low-pressure last stage blade of steam turbines. However, it is beset by the issue of water erosion. This paper focuses on the restoration of large blade workpieces made of XM-25 material, employing directed energy deposition (DED) laser cladding with parent material powder. The parameters for laser cladding include laser power of 1300 W, movement speed of 500 mm/min, and powder feed rate of 15 g/min. The performance of the XM-25 alloy after laser cladding restoration is evaluated through non-destructive testing (PT, RT), tensile testing, hardness testing, metallographic analysis, fracture morphology analysis, residual stress measurement, and high-cycle fatigue testing. Results indicate that the material after laser cladding exhibits an ultimate tensile strength exceeding 1200 MPa, a yield strength above 1050 MPa, microhardness above 415 HBW, residual stress at approximately 30% of the base material, and a fatigue limit of 586.25 MPa – 95% higher than the base material. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the proposed DED laser cladding method for restoring XM-25 turbine blades, offering a viable engineering solution for mitigating and repairing water erosion in steam turbine components.

Advancements in Silkworm-Derived Silk Fibroin Biomaterials for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Regenerating injured nerves is difficult because they have little spontaneous regeneration potential. Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have emphasized the possibility of biomaterial-based methods for nerve healing. Natural protein-based biomaterials have benefits over synthetic ones, such as biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, and biodegradability. Silk fibroin, generated from mulberry and non-mulberry silkworms, is especially promising because of its abundance, simplicity of processing into nerve-like structures, adjustable biodegradability, and mechanical robustness. Furthermore, non-mulberry silk fibroin contains the cell-affinitive RGD tripeptide, which enhances its ability to repair nerves. Studies using silk fibroin (SF)--based nerve conduits have demonstrated nerve regeneration rates of up to 80–90% compared to autografts, which remain the clinical gold standard. SF conduits exhibit outstanding mechanical properties, with tensile strengths up to 300 MPa and elastic moduli adjustable between kPa-MPa range, which closely mimic the native tissue and ensure durability in dynamic environments. This review explores the diverse types of silkworm silk fibroin (SSF) and their applications in biomaterial-based Peripheral Nerve Repair (PNR). It discusses the integration of SSF with other biopolymers and synthetic polymers, highlighting advancements in nerve guidance channels incorporating electro-conductive materials to enhance regeneration rates. The literature search was primarily conducted using the Web of Science database, employing relevant keyword combinations such as “silk fibroin + nerve repair,” “silk fibroin + peripheral nerve repair,” “silk + nerve repair,” and “silk + nerve repair + electrical stimulation.” As this review focuses on silkworm silk-based biomaterials, studies involving spider silk or recombinant silk-based biomaterials were excluded. The period considered began with the earliest relevant studies, with an emphasis on more recent advancements up to November 2024 to capture the latest developments in the field. Identified studies were categorized based on the biomaterial composition, including pure silk biomaterials, silk biopolymer binary composites, silk synthetic binary composites, and silk-hybrid composites. Key findings were synthesized to highlight the progress, challenges, and future directions in applying silk fibroin-based scaffolds and electrical stimulation technologies for nerve repair. The findings provide insights into the potential of SSF-based biomaterials and propose future directions for developing advanced nerve repair strategies.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in periodontal bone repair.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys tooth-supporting structures and poses significant public health challenges due to its high prevalence and links to systemic health conditions. Traditional treatments are effective in reducing the inflammatory response and improving the clinical symptoms of periodontitis. However, these methods are challenging to achieve an ideal treatment effect in alveolar bone repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a potential alternative for the treatment of periodontal bone defects due to their self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. Recent research indicates that MSCs exert their effects primarily through paracrine mechanisms. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) serve as pivotal mediators in intercellular communication, transferring microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), proteins, and cytokines to recipient cells, thereby emulating the therapeutic effects of MSCs. In periodontitis, MSC-EVs play a pivotal role in immunomodulation and bone remodeling, thereby facilitating periodontal bone repair. As a cell-free therapy, MSC-EVs demonstrate considerable clinical potential due to their specialized membrane structure, minimal immunogenicity, low toxicity, high biocompatibility, and nanoscale size. This review indicates that MSC-EVs represent a promising approach for periodontitis treatment, with the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional therapies and offer a more effective solution for bone repair in periodontal disease. In this review, we introduce MSC-EVs, emphasizing their mechanisms and clinical applications in periodontal bone repair. It synthesizes recent advances, existing challenges, and future prospects to present up-to-date information and novel techniques for periodontal regeneration and to guide the improvement of MSC-EV therapy in clinical practice.

Adhesive and Conductive Hydrogels for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality among cardiovascular diseases. Following MI, the damaged myocardium is progressively being replaced by fibrous scar tissue, which exhibits poor electrical conductivity, ultimately resulting in arrhythmias and adverse cardiac remodeling. Due to their extracellular matrix-like structure and excellent biocompatibility, hydrogels are emerging as a focal point in cardiac tissue engineering. However, traditional hydrogels lack the necessary conductivity to restore electrical signal transmission in the infarcted regions. Imparting conductivity to hydrogels while also enhancing their adhesive properties enables them to adhere closely to myocardial tissue, establish stable electrical connections, and facilitate synchronized contraction and myocardial tissue repair within the infarcted area. This paper reviews the strategies for constructing conductive and adhesive hydrogels, focusing on their application in MI repair. Furthermore, the challenges and future directions in developing adhesive and conductive hydrogels for MI repair are discussed.

Bio-Based Elastomers: Design, Properties, and Biomedical Applications.

To reduce carbon footprint and human dependence on fossil fuels, the field of bio-based polymers has undergone explosive growth in recent years. Among them, bio-based elastomers have gained tremendous attention for their inherent softness, high strain, and resilience. In this review, the recent progress of representative bio-based elastomers derived from molecular building blocks and biopolymers are recapitulated, with an emphasis on molecular design, synthesis approaches, and mechanical performance. The performance-advantaged properties of bio-based elastomers, including immune modulation, biocompatibility, and biodegradability are also explored. Furthermore, their representative biomedical applications in wound dressing, cardiovascular, nerve repair, bone repair, and biosensors are exemplified. Lastly, the challenges and outlooks development of bio-based elastomers are discussed. This review aims to offer readers valuable insights into the potential of bio-based elastomers as viable alternatives to petroleum-based counterparts, supporting the transition toward a more sustainable future.

Vat-Based 3D-Bioprinted Scaffolds from Photocurable Bacterial Levan for Osteogenesis and Immunomodulation.

Emerging techniques of additive manufacturing, such as vat-based three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, offer novel routes to prepare personalized scaffolds of complex geometries. However, there is a need to develop bioinks suitable for clinical translation. This study explored the potential of bacterial-sourced methacrylate levan (LeMA) as a bioink for the digital light processing (DLP) 3D bioprinting of bone tissue scaffolds. LeMA was successfully synthesized, characterized, and used to fabricate 3D-bioprinted scaffolds with excellent printability and physicochemical properties. In vitro studies demonstrated superior cytocompatibility of 15% w/v LeMA gels compared to 20% gels. 15% LeMA gels supported osteogenic differentiation , as evidenced by alkaline phosphatase activity and mineral deposition by MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts. Importantly, the LeMA hydrogels positively modulated the macrophage phenotype, promoting the expression of the anti-inflammatory marker CD206. These findings suggest that 3D-printed LeMA scaffolds can create a favorable microenvironment for bone regeneration, highlighting their potential for tissue repair and regeneration applications.

Genetically Programmed Single-Component Protein Hydrogel for Spinal Cord Injury Repair.

Protein self-assembly allows for the formation of diverse supramolecular materials from relatively simple building blocks. In this study, a single-component self-assembling hydrogel is developed using the recombinant protein CsgA, and its successful application for spinal cord injury repair is demonstrated. Gelation is achieved by the physical entanglement of CsgA nanofibrils, resulting in a self-supporting hydrogel at low concentrations (≥5mg mL-1). By leveraging the programmability of the CsgA gene sequence, the bioactive hydrogel is enhanced by fusing functional peptide GHK. GHK is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotrophic factor-stimulating properties, making it a valuable addition to the hydrogel for spinal cord injury repair applications. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the CsgA-GHK hydrogel can modulate microglial M2 polarization, promote neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells, and inhibit astrocyte differentiation. Additionally, the hydrogel shows efficacy in alleviating inflammation and promotes neuronal regeneration at the injury site, leading to significant functional recovery in a rat model with compression injury spinal cord cavity. These findings lay the groundwork for developing a modular design platform for recombinant CsgA protein hydrogels in tissue repair applications.

Advancement of 3D biofabrication in repairing and regeneration of cartilage defects.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, an additive manufacturing technology, fabricates biomimetic tissues that possess natural structure and function. It involves precise deposition of bioinks, including cells, and bioactive factors, on basis of computer-aided 3D models. Articular cartilage injurie, a common orthopedic issue. Current repair methods, for instance microfracture procedure (MF), Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), and Osteochondral Autologous Transfer Surgery (OATS) have been applied in clinical practice. However, each procedure has inherent limitation. For instance, microfracture surgery associates with increased subchondral cyst formation and brittle subchondral bone. ACI procedure involves two surgeries, and associate with potential risks infection and delamination of the regenerated cartilage. In addition, chondrocyte implantation's efficacy depends on the patient's weight, joint pathology, gender-related histological changes of cartilage, and hormonal influences that affect treatment and prognosis. So far, it is a still a grand challenge for achieving a clinical satisfactory in repairing and regeneration of cartilage defects using conditional strategies. 3D biofabrication provide a potential to fabricate biomimetic articular cartilage construct that has shown promise in specific cartilage repair and regeneration of patients. This review reported the techniques of 3D bioprinting applied for cartilage repair, and analyzed their respective merits and demerits, and limitations in clinical application. A summary of commonly used bioinks has been provided, along with an outlook on the challenges and prospects faced by 3D bioprinting in the application of cartilage tissue repair. It provided an overall review of current development and promising application of 3D biofabrication technology in articular cartilage repair.

Functional Hydrogel Interfaces for Cartilage and Bone Regeneration.

Effective treatment of bone diseases is quite tricky due to the unique nature of bone tissue and the complexity of the bone repair process. In combination with biological materials, cells and biological factors can provide a highly effective and safe treatment strategy for bone repair and regeneration, especially based on these multifunctional hydrogel interface materials. However, itis still a challenge to formulate hydrogel materials with fascinating properties (e.g., biological activity, controllable biodegradability, mechanical strength, excellent cell/tissue adhesion, and controllable release properties) for their clinical applications in complex bone repair processes. In this review, we will highlight recent advances in developing functional interface hydrogels. We then discuss the barriers to producing of functional hydrogel materials without sacrificing their inherent properties, and potential applications in cartilage and bone repair are discussed. Multifunctional hydrogel interface materials can serve as a fundamental building block for bone tissue engineering.

Biofunctionalisation of porous additively manufactured magnesium-based alloys for Orthopaedic applications: A review.

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have gained significant attention as a desirable choice of biodegradable implant for use in bone repair applications, largely owing to their unique material properties. More recently, Mg and Mg-based alloys have been used as load-bearing metallic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications, offering promising opportunities in the field. The mechanical properties and relative density of Mg-based alloys closely approximate those of natural human bone tissue, thereby mitigating the risk of stress-shielding effects. Furthermore, the inherent biodegradability of Mg-based alloys eliminates the necessity for a second surgical procedure for the removal of the implant, a frequent requirement with conventional non-degradable implants. However, a notable challenge remains in managing the high corrosion rate of Mg and Mg-based alloys within physiological environments to ensure that they meet the necessary functional requirements. Consequently, a comprehensive analysis and understanding of the corrosion behaviour of Mg and Mg-based alloys, coupled with optimisation of their surface properties, assume pivotal significance to ensure successful clinical application. The personalized 3D printing of Mg and Mg-based alloy implants represents a paradigm shift, offering a plethora of advantages, foremost among them being the enhancement of the bone healing process facilitated by the degradable porous structure conducive to bone ingrowth. Also, the emergence of surface functionalisation techniques for Mg-based implants amalgamates the mechanical and degradation properties inherent to metals with the enhanced biofunctionality offered by these coatings. This synergy presents a highly promising avenue for using Mg-based implants as temporary orthopaedic and dental solutions. This comprehensive review provides a detailed analysis of recent advancements encompassing alloying elements, additive manufacturing processes, lattice structures and biofunctionalised coatings to tailor the corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of Mg-based orthopaedic implants.

Fiber-reinforced geopolymers made with recycled aggregates for screed flooring and repair applications

Fiber-reinforced geopolymers made with recycled aggregates for screed flooring and repair applications

Gene Editing and Protein Tagging in the Oomycete Phytophthora infestans Using CRISPR-Cas12a.

Molecular genetic tools such as CRISPR-Cas gene editing systems are invaluable for understanding gene and protein function and revealing the details of a pathogen's life and disease cycles. Here we present protocols for genome editing in Phytophthora infestans, an oomycete with global importance as a pathogen of potato and tomato. Using a vector system that expresses variants of Cas12a from Lachnospiraceae bacterium and its guide RNA from a unified transcript, we first present a method for editing genes through the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. We then describe an application of homology-directed repair (HDR), in which Cas12a is used to fuse a protein-coding gene with a fluorescent or epitope tag. Both methods should be adaptable to many oomycetes other than P. infestans.

Development of a unique crosslinked glycosaminoglycan for soft tissue repair: Treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Chemical modification of naturally derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) expands their potential utility for applications in soft tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Here we report the preparation of a novel crosslinked chondroitin sulfate (~200 to 2000 kilodaltons) that is both soluble in aqueous solution and microfilterable. We refer to these materials as "SuperGAGs." One can further conjugate these materials with diverse capture agents to further modify polymer properties and add new capabilities. A representative material (GLX-100) demonstrated durable restoration of bladder impermeability in a gold standard animal model of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). Histologic examination of the animal bladders treated with a GLX-100 SuperGAG conjugated to biotin as a reporter demonstrated that the residence time of GLX-100 is superior to chondroitin sulfate (a product that is currently used for clinical treatment of patients with IC/BPS). As expected, this novel crosslinked GAG biopolymer was restricted to the luminal surface of the bladder wall. In this communication we describe a simple and versatile synthesis of a crosslinked glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biopolymer for soft tissue repair. Chondroitin sulfate (~12 kD) was crosslinked to form a water soluble and microfilterable polymer with approximately 200 to 2000 kD molecular weight. The synthesis presented here allows for control of molecular weight while avoiding formation of an extended block gel. Moreover, the procedure enables further chemical modification of the SuperGAG through the selection of a capture agent. A set of agents have been used, demonstrating the preparation of a family of SuperGAGs with diverse capabilities. We can optimize polymer properties, adjust adherence to various tissues, add reporters, and engage the biochemistry of surrounding tissues with peptides and other bioactives.

Composite barrier membrane for bone regeneration: advancing biomaterial strategies in defect repair.

Bone defects represent a significant challenge in clinical practice, driving the need for innovative solutions that effectively support bone regeneration. Barrier membranes, due to playing a critical role in creating an environment conducive to bone regeneration by preventing the infiltration of non-osteogenic tissues, are widely applied to bone repair. However, inadequate spatial stability and osteogenesis-promoting ability often limit current barrier membranes. In response to these challenges, we have developed an advanced gelatin methacrylate/hydroxyapatite/hydroxyapatite membrane (GelMA/HAp/HAM) composite biomaterial designed as a barrier membrane with superior spatial stability and optimal degradation properties. The GelMA/HAp/HAM composite features a bilayer structure, with each layer possessing distinct properties: the dense hydroxyapatite membrane (HAM) acts as a barrier to prevent connective tissue infiltration. In contrast, the porous gelatin methacrylate/hydroxyapatite (GelMA/HAp) hydrogel layer promotes osteogenesis. Studies have demonstrated the composite's excellent biocompatibility and its significant osteogenic differentiation enhancement. This composite membrane holds great promise for clinical applications in bone defect repair, providing a new avenue for improving patient outcomes in regenerative medicine.

E-jet 3D printed aligned nerve guidance conduits incorporated with decellularized extracellular matrix hydrogel encapsulating extracellular vesicles for peripheral nerve repair.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) as a common clinical issue that presents significant challenges for repair. Factors such as donor site morbidity from autologous transplantation, slow recovery of long-distance nerve damage, and deficiencies in local cytokines and extracellular matrix contribute to the complexity of effective PNI treatment. It is extremely urgent to develop functional nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) as substitutes for nerve autografts. We fabricate an aligned topological scaffold by combining the E-jet 3D printing and electrospinning to exert synergistic topographical cue for peripheral nerve regeneration. To address the limitation of NGCs with hollow lumens in repairing long-distance nerve defects, we modified the internal microenvironment by filling the lumen with umbilical cord-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogels and extracellular vesicles (EVs). This approach led to the development of a functional HE-NGC. Herein, the HE-NGCs provided obvious guidance and proliferation to SCs and PC12 in vitro due to the sustained-release effect of dECM hydrogels and the outstanding proliferation-promoting role of EVs. The HE-NGCs was surgically implanted in vivo to bridge 12-mm gap sciatic nerve defect in rats and it had a satisfactory effect in reestablishment of the sciatic nerve, including the recovery of motor functions and the myelination. Further studies revealed that HE-NGCs might promoted axon growth by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathways. These findings indicate that HE-NGCs effectively promote nerve regeneration, offering a promising strategy for applications in peripheral nerve repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study introduces an approach using an E-jet 3D printing system to fabricate three-dimensional aligned scaffolds with varying gap sizes, optimizing the structure for Schwann cells migration. We present, for the first time, a comprehensive investigation into the effects of EVs derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on Schwann cells behavior. By leveraging the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), we significantly enhanced the efficacy and longevity of EVs encapsulated within a dECM hydrogel. Our provided strategy involves utilizing EVs to support nerve cell migration and proliferation along aligned NGCs. As the dECM hydrogel degrades, EVs are gradually released, facilitating the deposition of new ECM and enabling the repair of nerve defects up to 12-mm in length.

Innovative virtual reality solutions for technical training in heavy construction equipment repair and maintenance

The construction industry is significantly impacted by heavy construction equipment, including bulldozers, excavators, and vehicles. This equipment speeds up building, moves supplies, and builds infrastructure. Using heavy construction equipment correctly can boost productivity and shorten project timelines. Due to their complexity and scale, this equipment must be maintained and repaired. Poor maintenance and repair of heavy construction equipment can reduce performance, damage, and even cause accidents. Due to these problems, this study focuses on the design and development of a simulation training application to enhance the technical skills of workers in maintaining and repairing heavy construction equipment using virtual reality (VR) technology, the development of this application will be carried out using Unreal Engine 5 and thereafter tested and implemented at PT Menara Indonesia or M-Knows Consulting, Indonesia. At the end of this study, the design and development of a VR training simulation application for heavy equipment repair has been successfully completed. After testing the VR application and conducting user acceptance tests, it was concluded that the created VR application greatly assists M-Knows Consulting in training workers to perform maintenance and repair on heavy equipment, with a user acceptance rate of 84%.