Processing and Evaluation of HA Nanocomposites

这个跨学科的项目涉及具有纳米制造和生物工程背景的工程学院，以获得对纳米晶体陶瓷在生物医学应用中的行为的基本理解。该项目的中心重点是开发性能上级目前可用的纳米晶陶瓷基质，并在体外测试它们作为牙科/颌面植入物的实用性。该项目的主题是制备纳米晶羟基磷灰石（n-HA）和磷酸三钙（TCP）纳米复合材料的梯度结构。这种结构有望使它们更具生物活性。将根据相含量、微观结构、短期和长期机械可靠性以及生物相容性对所制造的材料进行表征。该项目结合了新千年的两项重要技术：生物技术和纳米技术。人们相信这个项目将遍及社会的许多不同阶层。虽然目标用途将在牙科，但该技术在其他领域的应用足够广泛。考虑到“婴儿潮一代”人口的老龄化，这一点尤其重要。从教育的角度来看，该项目将进一步加强生物材料领域的教学活动。PI和Co-PI正在积极与当地学区和附近的本科院校（特别是HBCU）合作。这些活动包括在暑期通过研究活动指导学生，并在学校举办客座讲座。 还在考虑一个新的教师培训方案。

This interdisciplinary project involves engineering faculty with nanomanufacturing and bioengineering backgrounds in an effort to gain fundamental understanding of the behavior of nanocrystalline ceramics for biomedical applications. The project's central focus is to develop nanocrystalline ceramic matrices with properties superior to those currently available and to test them in vitro for their utility as dental/maxillofacial implants. The main theme of the project is to fabricate nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (n-HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) nanocomposites in a graded structure. Such a structure is expected to make them more bio-active. The as- manufactured materials will be characterized in terms of phase content, microstructure, both short- and long-term mechanical reliability, and biocompatibility. The project incorporates two vital technologies of the new millennium: biotechnology and nanotechnology. It is believed that the project will pervade many different strata of the society. While the targeted use will be in dentistry, the technology is broad enough for applications in other fields. This is particularly important in view 6fthe aging of the 'baby Boomer" population. From an educational viewpoint, the project will further enhance the pedagogical activities in the area of Biomaterials. The PI and the Co-PI are actively working with the local school districts, and undergraduate institutions (notably an HBCU) nearby. These activities include mentoring students during summer months through research activities and presenting guest lectures at schools. A new teacher-training program is also contemplated.