SUMMIT AREA – On Tuesday, February 3, at 9:30 a.m., Matthew Libera, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, will discuss how to make a better hip implant. Biomedical implants, such as hip and knee prostheses, have had a significant impact on human health and improved the quality of life for millions of patients. However, in addition to their wonderful healing properties, these and other tissue-contacting biomedical devices (e.g., catheters, tissue expanders, pacemakers, etc.) can also catalyze infection. Infection rates vary from about 1-5% but can be as high as 50% depending on the nature of the device. Device-associated infection can be a lifechanging complication that currently has no cure. Professor Libera will give an overview of tissuecontacting implants using hips as a prime example and then describe the infection problem as well as ongoing efforts to prevent, detect, and cure these infections.