A groundbreaking collaboration between the Department of Materials Science at Montanuniversität Leoben and the Urology Department at LKH Hochsteiermark (Leoben) is redefining kidney stone research. Led by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Daniel Kiener and Dr. Stefan Heidler, the team is investigating the structural and mechanical properties of kidney stones using advanced material analysis techniques. Surprisingly, some stones exhibit hardness comparable to common metals like iron and titanium.
This interdisciplinary project applies local hardness testing and high-resolution microscopy to stones removed during endoscopic procedures, offering new insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The findings have already sparked international interest and may benefit medical technology companies such as Richard Wolf. The next phase will integrate radiological imaging, aiming to translate these discoveries directly into clinical practice, aiming for significant improvements in patient care.
