This chapter focus on describing the science and technology related to the use of UNCD films for fabricating MEMS and NEMS structures suitable for use in various devices for medical applications. Topics discussed include: 1) description of the materials science involved in the integration of UNCD films with dissimilar materials in film form, such as piezoelectric oxides, for development of piezo-actuated UNCD-based MEMS/NEMS, and integration with metal films for contacts, and biological matter (e.g., heart cells) for cell bit-induced mechanical deformation of piezo/UNCD cantilevers to generate power via the converse piezoelectric effect, whereby mechanical deformationof cantilevers is transduced into power generation, via mechanical displacement in opposite directions of + and - ions in the piezoelectric layer, thus voltage generation between two electrode layers sandwiching the piezoelectric layer for a new generation of biomedicalenergy generation devices and biosensors). Piezoelectric/UNCD integrated films-based MEMS/NEMS power generation device can power a new generation of defibrillator/pacemaker, eliminating relatively short live batteries in current devices.

This chapter focus on a description of pathways undertaken to transfer the UNCD film technology from the laboratory into the market, through Original Biomedical Implants (OBI-USA) and OBI-México, founded by O. Auciello and colleagues. Topics discussed in this chapter include: 1) Summary of regulatory pathways in different regions of the worldfor approval of medical devices and prostheses; 2) description of pathway to bring to the market a UNCD-coated microchip (artificial retina) implantable inside the eye to restore partial vision to blind people), 2) description of the process to bring to the market a new generation of long life superior performance UNCD-coated prostheses (artificial hips, knees, dental implants, and more); 3) description of pathway to bring into the market a novel retina reattachment process using combined UNCD-coated magnet outside the eye and injection of super-paramagnetic nanoparticles inside the eye, pushing the retina backon to the inner eye’ layer, when attracted by the magnetic field created by the external magnet.

This chapter focuses on a description of a novel UNCD film-based technology enabling a new generation of Li-ion batteries (LIB) with orders of magnitude longer stable specific capacity vs. charge/discharge cycles and safer performance than current devices, to power a new generation of miniaturized defibrillators/pacemakers to improve the quality of life of people receiving them.The UNCD film technology provides three new key components of the LIB, namely: 1) Electrically conductive Nitrogen atoms-grain boundary incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD) films encapsulating natural graphite (NG)/copper composite LIB anodes, providing order of magnitude superior cycle performance and capacity retention than for NG/Cu anodes (the N-UNCD layer suppresses reactions of NG with the electrolyte and the development of insulating solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) on the anode, which retards anode conductivity and induces stresses, leading to cracks in the NG particles inducing loss of contact between them); 2) UNCD-coated Si-based membranes with orders of magnitude higher resistance to chemical attack than membranes in current LIBs; and 3) UNCD coatings for the inner walls of battery cases to enable use of less expensive case materials than current ones.

This chapter describes the science and technology to develop extremely biocompatible UNCD coatings for encapsulation of devices to treat the glaucoma condition, related to clogging of natural tubes in the human eye’ trabecular mesh, which continuously drain the eye’ fluid from the inner part to keep the internal eye pressure constant. Clogging of the tubes produce overpressure in the eye, resulting in the destruction of the optical nerve and blindness. Two types of devices are being developed by the authors of this chapter, namely: 1) Hydrophobic (no eye fluid adsorption) UNCD coating on commercial polymer-based drain valves (hydrophilic-eye’ fluid adsorption), to practically eliminate attachment of proteins on hydrophilic polymer surface, thus fibrosis that reduce implant lifetime. 2)The second device consists of a novel metallic multi-hole circular grid, made of Ti, coated with a UNCD film and implanted in the eye’ trabecular region, providing efficient drainage of the eye’ fluid through the many holes existing in the structure. The UNCD-coated grid provides a smaller, less intrusive and more efficient device for treatment of glaucoma than the current commercial much larger valves based on polymers, which exhibit extensive biofouling.

This chapter focus on describing the science and technology related to the use of UNCD films for fabricating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) structures suitable for use in various devices for medical applications. Topics discussed include: 1) Design and fabrication of UNCD-based micro-turbines for chemical lab on a chip, 2) description of the materials science involved in the integration of UNCD films with dissimilar materials in film form, such as piezoelectric nitrides for development of piezo-actuated UNCD-based MEMS/NEMS, and integration with metal films for contacts, and biological matter (e.g., heart cells) for cell bit-induced mechanical deformation of piezo/UNCD cantilevers to generate power via the converse piezoelectric effect, whereby mechanical deformationof cantilevers is transduced into power generation, via mechanical displacement in opposite directions of + and - ions in the piezoelectric layer, thus voltage generation between two electrode layers sandwiching the piezoelectric layer for a new generation of biomedicalenergy generation devices and biosensors.