Title of the project: 41300006 Development of advanced luminescent glass 3D structures
Short title of the project/Acronym: LumiPiG
Category of researcher: R3
Principal investigator: Dr. Monika Michálková
Team: Joint Glass Centre of the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, TnUAD, FChPT STU
Ackowledgement: „Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V04-00198.”
Abstract:
The aim of this project is to support basic research carried out in Slovakia by an excellent domestic researcher in the R3 phase of her career and to prevent the “brain drain” of top domestic researchers abroad. Support from this call will bring several benefits; it will increase the capacity of excellent researchers in Slovakia and increase the attractiveness and internationalisation of the Slovak research environment, which will impact a higher level of collaboration with scientific communities abroad.
The project’s main objective is to develop a new generation of luminescent optoelectronic materials of the phosphor-in-glass (PiG) type with high efficiency, low-cost fabrication (3D printing) and tailored luminescence properties. Additive manufacturing will enable the combination of mutually supporting phosphors in different layers within a single glass matrix, thereby improving the optical properties of the final material. In addition, the phosphors used for additive manufacturing will be prepared in spherical shapes – microspheres that can be solid or hollow – to further increase the phosphor’s efficiency.
Title of the project: Multi-technical fabrication of radiopaque bioactive glass coatings for biomedical applications
Short title of the project/Acronym: RADIOBIOCOATS
Category of researcher: R2
Principal investigator: Dr. German Clavijo
Team: FunGlass / TnUAD, Research Institute of Ceramics IRCER – Univertsité de Limoges, Institute of Biomaterials FAU Erlangen, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Ackowledgement: „Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V04-00479.”
Abstract:
Traditional bioceramic and bioactive glass coatings in biomedical implants are recognized for their biocompatibility and bioactivity; however, they often fall short in terms of radiopacity and contrast in medical imaging and diagnostics. This deficiency may represent significant challenges in monitoring the precise placement, future position, and post-operative condition of coated implants. The RADIOBIOCOATS project is a multidisciplinary scientific initiative that seeks to address the need for bioceramics coating on implants of becoming highly visible in medical imaging (i.e., x-rays and angiography), a critical issue within orthopedics, dental and cardiology applications. Our initiative brings the development of novel radiopaque bioactive glass feedstocks materials to the fabrication of optimized radiopaque bioactive glass coatings through three of the most industrially scalable coatings technologies in bioactive glass and bioceramic coatings fabrications: atmospheric plasma spray (APS), electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and sol-gel dip coating (SGDC). Each proposed coating technology brings a combination of desired features and disadvantages that will be closely monitored and followed by statistical prediction tools and design of experiments. Thus, the fabrication of a highly radiopaque, biocompatible, and stable coating can be achieved with predicted and desired roughness and thickness, representing an interesting option for a wide range of biomedical applications.
The project first focuses on designing and selecting a radiopaque bioactive glass composition with enhanced radiopacity, antibacterial properties, and biocompatibility. An evaluation and analysis of the Ti-alloy surface pretreatment, as a necessary step before coating deposition to ensure coating stability and topography, is performed. Similarly, non-thermal plasma sterilization is also included to make these surfaces suitable for in-vitro testing. RADIOBIOCOATS seeks to optimize deposition processes, including APS, EPD, and SGDC, by fine-tuning parameters to achieve coatings with desired roughness, thickness, adherence, radiopacity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. Finally, the in-vitro performance of the optimized APS, EPD and SGDC radiopaque bioactive glass coatings on cell medium, preosteoclasts and fibroblast human-like models will be explored, and the influence of coating deposition parameters on the coatings features fully described.
Title of the project: “Innovative Bilayer Coatings for Degradable Implant Applications: Synergistic effect of PEO and Sol-gel coatings on magnesium alloys”.
Short title of the project/Acronym: SynBioDe-Mag
Category of researcher: R2
Principal investigator: Dr. Ashokraja Chandrasekar
Team: FunGlass / TnUAD
Ackowledgement: „Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V04-00480.”
Abstract:
The recent development of biodegradable implants has brought about a significant transformation in the field of medical devices, presenting promising remedies for the transient assistance and management of diverse medical ailments. Magnesium alloys have attracted considerable interest within the scientific community owing to their exceptional biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics. Nonetheless, the high rate at which they degrade in physiological conditions is a significant challenge. In order to tackle this matter, the research initiative titled “Innovative Bilayer Coatings for Degradable Implant Applications” investigates a pioneering methodology that involves the simultaneous integration of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and Sol-Gel coatings on magnesium alloys. The objective is to augment the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of these alloys.
The study commences with an examination of the inherent characteristics of PEO and Sol-Gel coatings in combination. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a highly adaptable technology renowned for its ability to generate substantial and permeable oxide coatings on magnesium alloys. These layers have the potential to offer corrosion protection; yet, they frequently demonstrate inadequate adhesion to the substrate. On the other hand, Sol-Gel coatings exhibit exceptional adhesion and adjustable qualities, rendering them well-suited for enhancing the surface attributes of magnesium alloys. The objective of this research is to leverage the synergistic advantages of combining two coating processes in a bilayer configuration in order to overcome the limits that each method presents individually. The examination of the interaction between these two layers is conducted using a range of characterisation methodologies, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical testing. Potentiodynamic polarisation tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to assess the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys coated with a bilayer coating. The findings indicate a notable improvement in the ability to resist corrosion when comparing magnesium alloys that have been coated against those that have not. In addition, biocompatibility evaluations are performed to verify that the formulated coatings satisfy the essential criteria for implant applications. In order to assess cell adhesion, proliferation, and cytotoxicity on coated samples, it is planned to conduct in-vitro cell culture investigations.
In summary, the research project titled “Innovative Bilayer Coatings for Degradable Implant Applications” focuses on exploring novel approaches to enhance the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys and improve their biocompatibility. The ultimate objective is to enable the utilisation of these alloys in the development of biodegradable medical implants. This study aims to mitigate the degradation rate of magnesium alloys while ensuring their biocompatibility by employing a bilayer structure that combines polyethylene oxide (PEO) and sol-gel coatings. The findings of this investigation exhibit substantial potential in furthering the domain of degradable implants, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and diminishing the necessity for invasive implant removal surgeries.
Title of the project: Hybrid breathing metal-organic-framework (MOF) glasses for indoor air quality
Short title of the project/Acronym: HyBreath Glass / HBG
Category of researcher: R2
Pricipal investigator: Dr. Orhan Sisman
Team: FunGlass / TnUAD
Ackowledgement: „Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V04-00484.”
Web site: https://www.hybreathglass.com/
Abstract:
The HyBreath Glass (HBG) Project represents a groundbreaking effort to revolutionize indoor air quality (AQ) by creating air-permeable smart glasses capable of monitoring and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in public indoor spaces. The project harnesses the unique properties of hybrid metal-organic-framework (MOF) glasses, specifically zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) glasses formed through hot pressing at high temperatures. These MOF glasses offer a microporous structure that enables selective gas permeation without the presence of grain boundaries. In particular, ZIF-62 glass demonstrates superior glass formation ability due to its higher viscosity, making it ideal for this innovative application. These glasses are particularly effective at allowing the passage of gases with small molecular kinematic diameters, such as hydrogen and CO2, which is crucial to monitor indoor CO2 levels.
The heart of the HBG Project lies in the embedding of photosynthetic electroactive materials, specifically metallophthalocyanines (M-Pcs), into the MOF glass matrix. These M-Pcs possess remarkable electrochemical, optical, and gas-sensing properties, making them ideal for both CO2 detection and photoelectrochemical reduction.
By simulating natural photosynthesis processes, the HBG Project aims to create smart windows that can actively “breath” monitoring and reducing CO2 levels in the range of 100 to 5000 ppm. This approach uses the versatility and effectiveness of M-Pc derivatives, allowing for fine-tuned control of the electrochemical activity of the glass matrix.
The potential impact of the HBG Project on public health is substantial, as it offers a proactive solution to combat indoor air quality issues. These smart windows could play a pivotal role in reducing the burden on public health by ensuring optimal indoor AQ, thereby contributing to the well-being of building occupants.
Title of the project: Design, analysis and mechanical characterization of laminar ceramics
Short title of the project/Acronym: Laminar ceramics/LaCer
Category of researcher: R2
Principal investigator: Dr. Aliasghar Najafzadehkhoee
Team: Institute of Inorganic Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences
Abstract:
Engineering ceramics, in particular oxide, have been key enables in different applications, from dental ceramics to substrates for electronic devices. However, their application is limited due to their brittle nature and catastrophic failure. This project aims to exploit the stress generation between the layers of laminar ceramics during sintering to improve the mechanical performance of bulk laminar ceramics. To this end, different ceramic tapes will be fabricated, and laminar ceramics with various architectures will be fabricated. The residual stress in bulk laminated ceramics will be tailored to induce crack-arresting properties, and the mechanical properties and the microstructural features of samples will be investigated. Finally, having the digital twins of the laminated ceramics modeled, the generation of stresses and the mechanical performance of samples will be simulated using finite element methods (FEM) to identify the crucial parameters.
Keywords: Laminar ceramics, Mechanical performance, Residual stresses
