The aim is to develop novel materials for "intelligent implants" that have the potential to minimize or suppress inflammatory processes due to their chemical composition and/or grading. With a view to co-evolution, a reservoir of antibacterial elements is to be incorporated on or below the surface so that they become effective during material degradation (damage due to corrosion, tribology). The sub-project combines material expertise (alloy design, microstructural investigations and mechanical tests) with experimental methods for the quantitative determination of biocompatibility.