| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C531477/1 |
| Title: |
X-Ray Diffraction System for Powder Diffraction, Texture and Thin Film Studies in Biomaterials Surfaces and Interfaces |
| Principal Investigator: |
Knowles, Professor JC |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Eastman Dental Institute |
| Organisation: |
UCL |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2005 |
Ends: |
31 December 2007 |
Value (£): |
50,000
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomaterials |
Cells |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a technique that allows us to study the structure of crystalline materials in detail. Processing of materials can induce changes in structure at a variety of levels, from macroscopic through microscopic to atomic. XRD allows us to probe these changes on all levels. For biomaterials which find applications within the human body, the relationship between the structure of a material and its properties is critical. Changes in structure can affect not only the mechanical properties of the material (strength, load bearing ability etc) but also its biological properties - i.e. the way it interacts with the cells and tissues in the body. It is important to be able to fully characterise the structure of biomaterials in order to give a more complete understanding of these relationships.The X-ray diffractometer that we are seeking to purchase has significant benefits of high resolution, speed and the ability to examine thin films. We will use it primarily in two areas of research:(1) The study of calcium phosphates. These are an important group of biomaterials which form the inorganic part of tooth and bone. The new instrument will allow us to more fully characterise these materials, which can be synthesised in a variety of ways. As well as being synthesised in the laboratory for biomaterials applications, calcium phosphates tend to precipitate onto solid surfaces when placed into biological fluids. This is thought to be very important in, for example, the integration of biomedical implant materials within hard tissue such as bone. The nature of the surface involved can have a major impact on the rate of precipitation and the structure of the precipitate formed. The thin film capabilities of the diffractometer will allow us to study this process in detail and relate the rate of formation and structure of the calcium phosphate precipitate to the nature of the substrate material.(2) Titanium and ion-implanted titanium. The metal titanium and a range of it's alloys have received particular attention as dental and orthopaedic implants. These materials tend to be well received by the body, which may be at least partially due to the relatively unreactive nature of the surface, which is covered by a passive layer of titanium oxide. The surface chemistry and the way in which cells respond to it can be altered by the inclusion of different ions (e.g. calcium) by a technique known as ion implantation. In this technique, a beam of energetic ions is fired at a target where the ions become physically embedded in the surface. As well as affecting the reactivity of the surface, this affects the crystal structure. It is possible that cellular responses to ion implanted surfaces may be mediated by this change in crystallinity rather than, or in addition to, the change in chemistry. The new diffractometer will allow us to explore this possibility. Implantation of different ions and different concentrations of ions is also known to affect the rate of calcium phosphate deposition, so these materials will form ideal substrates for studying the precipitation process outlined in (1) above.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
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| Description |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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