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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/C000714/1
Title: Synthesis, development and structural characterisation of antibacterial Cu and Ag-doped phosphate glasses for the prevention of orthopaedic infections
Principal Investigator: Newport, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Physical Sciences
Organisation: University of Kent
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 11 April 2005 Ends: 10 April 2008 Value (£): 202,569
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
EP/C000633/1 GR/T21080/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Building upon the Kent-Warwick partnership's long-standing and productive experience in the study of the atomic and meso-scale structure of novel sol-gel materials, we seek to understand at a similar level of sophistication the structure of phosphate-based glasses of potential importance within dentistry and soft tissue regeneration. The Eastman Dental Institute (UCL) hosts world leading research in the use of melt-quenched phosphate glasses within this medical context. This proposal will allow the first exploration of the synthesis and processing of novel variants on these materials using sol-gel methods (tailored for composition, porosity, etc.) and their in vitro characterisation. The proposed research programme centres on the exploratory study of the structural properties of an important set of melt- and gel-produced bioactive materials on the atomic scale using an extensive characterisation methodology which, to our knowledge, represents a uniquely wide-ranging approach to the study of such systems. The work will involve in-situ/time-resolved studies of key stages in the materials processing, and be explicitly focused on providing an improved understanding of their bioactive properties. The structure of the team is such that, at all stages, the primary focus on relating the detailed structural picture to the bioactivity will not be lost. This project will concentrate on Ag/Cu-containing phosphate materials. The detailed neutron, X-ray and NMR experimental study of these materials along with the use of benchtop spectroscopic and other physical methods will provide full structural characterisation. Taken together, this interdisciplinary study will provide a cogent and coherent understanding of the relationship between synthesis/processing, structure and properties, and will lead the way in providing the appropriate tools for the development and optimisation of future materials of medical importance.
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Organisation Website: http://www.kent.ac.uk