Profile page Roman Heuberger

Dr. Roman Heuberger is a materials scientist with a strong background in surface analysis and tribology, particularly in biomedical applications. He earned both his Master’s degree and Ph.D. from the Institute of Materials Science at ETH Zurich between 1998 and 2007. His doctoral research focused on the formation of tribofilms from motor oil additives, utilizing surface analytical tools with an emphasis on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Roman Heuberger has been working at the RMS Foundation in Bettlach (Switzerland) since November 2007. He has been Head of Materials Testing and Consulting there since 2023. In this role, oversees services and research projects related to surfaces, interfaces, and tribology—contributing to advancements in both medical technology and materials science.

His research interests include surface modification, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the tribology of materials for biomedical applications. Many of his projects have been conducted in collaboration with medical professionals, academic institutions, and industrial partners—some of which have received funding from Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. Roman Heuberger’s contributions to the field are reflected in his authorship of more than 28 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 16.

In addition to his research and consulting activities, he contributes to academic education by teaching in the Biomedical Engineering Master's program at the University of Bern with a focus on applied biomaterials.

P. Wahl, R. Heuberger, A. Pascucci, T. Imwinkelried, M. Fürstner, N. Icken, M.Schläppi, R. Pourzal, E. Gautier.
Correlation of cross-linking as measured by the trans-vinylene index and in vitro wear of polyethylene from various acetabular liner brands.
Bone and Joint Research, 13(11), 2024, 682-693. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.1311.BJR-2024-0203.R1

M. Bohner, G. Baroud, A. Bernstein, N. Döbelin, L. Galea, B. Hesse, R. Heuberger, S. Meille, P. Michel, B. von Rechenberg, J. Sague, H. Seeherman.
Characterization and distribution of mechanically competent mineralized tissue in micropores of β-tricalcium phosphate bone substitutes.
Materials Today, 20(3), 2017, 106-115. DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2017.02.002

H. Zohdi, B. Andreatta, R. Heuberger.
Particles and Ions Generated in Total Hip Joint Prostheses:In Vitro Wear Test Results of UHMWPE and XLPE Acetabular Components.
Tribology Letters, 65, 2017, article number 92. DOI: 10.1007/s11249-017-0872-2

Emely Lea Bortel, Baptiste Charbonnier and Roman Heuberger.
Development of a Synthetic Synovial Fluid for Tribological Testing.
Lubricants, 3(4), 2015, 664-686. DOI: 10.1007/s11249-017-0872-2

R.Heuberger, P. Wahl, J. Krieg and E. Gautier.
Low in vitro third-body wear on total hip prostheses induced by calcium sulphate used for local antibiotic therapy.
European Cells and Materials, 28, 2014, 246-257. DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v028a17

Roman Heuberger, Antonella Rossi & Nicholas D. Spencer.
Pressure dependence of ZnDTP tribochemical film formation: A combinatorial approach.
Tribology Letters, 28(2), 2007, 209-222. DOI: 10.1007/s11249-007-9267-0

R. Heuberger.
Combinatorial study of the tribochemistry of anti-wear lubricant additives.
Doctoral dissertation, ETH Zurich, 2007. DOI: 10.3929/ethz-a-005297449