The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and Orthox Holdings Limited KTP 24_25 R2

A team at Imperial College London is turning a glass-like material into a squishy, springy implant that mimics the feel of real cartilage. Cartilage is the smooth, slippery tissue that lets joints move without grinding bone on bone. Once damaged—by injury, age, or osteoarthritis—it does not heal on its own. Current treatments, such as joint replacement or microfracture surgery, are invasive and often temporary. This project aims to fill that gap by creating a regenerative implant made from a material called “Bouncy Bioglass,” which combines the strength of glass with the resilience and lubricity of natural cartilage. If successful, the implant could offer a long-lasting, less invasive alternative for repairing damaged joints. That would mean fewer joint replacements, shorter recovery times, and preserved mobility for people with cartilage injuries or early-stage osteoarthritis. The work is a partnership between Orthox, a company specialising in cartilage repair, and Imperial’s materials scientists, who invented the bioglass. The project focuses on developing, manufacturing, and optimising the implant for clinical use—so the impact is practical and near-term, not speculative.