Award for Ceramic Implant Applications in Arthroplasty
The “Heinz-Mittelmeier Research Award” by the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery e.V. (DGOOC) recognizes research on metal-free implant applications in arthroplasty – endowed by CeramTec GmbH since 1996.
The research award is presented to young physicians, engineers, or scientists up to the age of 45 for outstanding scientific contributions in the field of metal-free implant solutions in arthroplasty.
Eligible for the award are scientific works from the following areas:
- Innovative implant solutions based on ceramics, polymers, or other metal-free materials for the hip, knee, spine, shoulder, and other orthopaedic applications
- Novel material technologies and combinations thereof that optimize durability, elasticity, and osseointegration
- Surface modifications and coatings that reduce bacterial adhesion and enhance biocompatibility
- MRI-compatible implants and imaging-friendly materials enabling more precise diagnostics
- Metal-free osteosynthetic systems, including screws, plates, or alternative fixation methods
- Bridging technologies, AI, and 3D printing for the development of patient-specific metal-free implants
- Health economic and clinical analyses demonstrating the benefit and sustainability of metal-free solutions
Work may already be published in a scientific journal or book. Unpublished manuscripts, diploma theses, dissertations, and post-doctoral theses are also accepted. The only exception is that the work must not have been submitted for, or received, any other scientific prize.
The 2026 research award will be presented during the jointly sponsored congress by the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (DGOOC), the German Association for Trauma Surgery (DGU), and the Professional Association of Orthopedists and Trauma Surgeons (BVOU) in Berlin.
To participate, submissions in English or German must be sent exclusively by e-mail (preise@dgou.de) by July 31, 2026. The submission must include the following documents: the scientific paper, a brief cover letter stating your date of birth, the declaration mentioned above, and the completed data protection form.
Thomas STERNER (Germany)
Auswirkungen von klinisch relevanten Aluminium Keramik-, Zirkonium Keramik- und Titanpartikeln unterschiedlicher Größe und Konzentration auf die TNFα-Ausschüttung in einem humanen Makrophagensystem
[Effects of clinically relevant alumina ceramic particles, circonia ceramic particles and titanium particles of different sizes and concentrations on TNFα release in a human monocytic cell line]
The awarded paper was published in:
Biomedizinische Technik, 49 (2004), 340-344