A multichannel potentiostat/galvanostat for calcium phosphate deposition and protein studies

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Stabilizing permanent metallic implant devices such as dental or hip implants can be a significant challenge, especially when chronic disease or poor existing bone quality or quantity compromises otherwise successful treatment. A current project underway seeks to use a novel ceramic processing method that will allow degradable calcium phosphate-based materials deposited as coatings on these metallic devices to actively direct tissue regeneration by the body's own cells. This will be accomplished through the strategic incorporation of a key biological protein during electrochemical deposition such that a sustained local concentration of the protein at the implant site is achieved. How this protein is incorporated into the coating will directly influence its availability once implanted.  This proposal is for the purchase of a modern, research-intensive electrochemical workstation that will enable automated and precise control of the current conditions required to achieve these coatings, while also allowing multiple samples to be coated simultaneously through the use of 5 independently controlled channels. With this workstation, it should be possible to optimize this coating process and assess its potential in an animal model. The versatility of this unit will also enable a study of the electrochemical properties of new metallic implant materials that will influence their corrosion resistance and possibly protein adsorption characteristics in the body. Ultimately, these behaviors will dictate the compatibility of these metallic materials for the intended implant application.