Biography:

Dmitry Volodkin holds a position of Reader in Materials at Nottingham Trent University (UK) and Heads the group Active Bio-Coatings. He has studied Chemistry at the Lomonosov Moscow State University and further obtained PhD in 2005. Research stays brought him to University of Strasbourg, France and Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces; Technical University of Berlin; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology in Germany. His research activities are focused on design of advanced stimuli-responsive biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering, diagnostics, toxicology, drug delivery. His group engineer self-assembled polymer based 2D and 3D structures with tailor-made properties: multilayer films, microcapsules and beads, liposome-polymer composites, polymeric scaffolds, etc. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles/books and received a number of prestigious scientific awards such as Sofja Kovalevskaja Award of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Richard-Zsigmondy Price of German Colloid Society, Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship.

Abstract:

Polymer-based and composite multilayers have been widely used over the past decade towards biological and non-biological applications. Our research is focused on assembly of 2D and 3D multilayer structures (planar films and capsules) aiming at biological applications. Such tailor-made structures have fine-tuned architecture, controlled thickness from nano to micro, adjusted softness from Pa to GPa, and almost unlimited variety of functional compounds. In this talk I present our recent findings in the mechanism of multilayer assembly, physical-chemical approaches to immobilize biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, small drugs, etc) and to release/deliver the biomolecules in controlled manner. The externally triggered release on demand by IR-laser light and cellular studies including extra- and intra-cellular delivery is considered. The developed structures offering localized, remote, and non-invasive release of biomolecules are indispensable for applications in diagnostics, toxicology, tissue engineering, and especially for single cell studies where high precision of biomolecule delivery in space and time is highly desirable

Biography:

L Sajti graduated as a Physicist in 2004 from the University of Szeged in Hungary and received his PhD in 2007 in Material Sciences from the University of Marseille in France. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in 2008-2009 with the excellence initiative of the Australian Government in the Australian National University in Canberra. Later, he worked in Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. in Germany in 2009-2011 as a Scientific Employee then from 2011 to 2017 as Head of the research group Nanomaterials. Additionally, during 2011-2017 he headed the research unit Nanoparticles in the German cluster of excellence REBIRTH - from Regenerative Medicine to Reconstructive Therapy in the Hannover Medical School. During 2015-2017 he was responsible of the research module “Laser-based methods - switchable implant coatings with drug-releasing nanoparticles” within the interdisciplinary research cluster Biofabrication for NIFE in Germany. At present, he is Head of the research group Advanced Implant Solutions at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH.

 

 

Abstract:

We address a detailed biomedical research using different nanomaterials on implant material surfaces that feature strong bioactive properties covering both permanent and biodegradable implant applications. These materials act as local antibacterial and cell-proliferative platforms towards ideal implants with combined properties. These nano-objects are based on ultrapure gold, platinum, silver or iron nanoparticles, equipped with biological functions for specific cellular actions via full-embedding into polymeric matrices or used as coatings on metallic implants. Instead of standard fabrication, we demonstrate short-pulsed laser ablation in liquids that is an entirely precursor-, and stabilizer-free green method, forming contamination-free nanomaterials with remarkable surface loadings in a single-step process. Industrial processing of nanoparticle-embedded polymers by injection molding results in a homogenous embedding whereas the nanoparticles stay stable even in the melted state due to an effective stabilization process during laser ablation that hinders inter-particular agglomeration. This very high homogeneity and stability is especially crucial for catheterization and permanent cardiovascular applications where homogenous surface activity is required. Concerning metallic implant applications, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP)-modified low-alloyed magnesium, as well as pure titanium and titanium alloys will be presented covering a broad range in medical implantology from endosseous-, cochlear-, to artificial heart implants. In case of magnesium, the desired combination of high biocompatibility, tailored mechanical and degradation properties as well as excellent mechanical properties will be presented and compared to state-of-the-art materials such as the extra-low interstitial Ti 6Al-4V titanium alloy or the unalloyed commercially pure titanium. A modified ECAP procedure reveals formation of an ultrafine grain structure across the whole work piece that allows homogeneous mechanical properties affecting positively its cellular activity. Finally, we report on the detailed mechanical and corrosive properties providing deep insights into its biophysical performance, long durability and mechanical strength even in a biological environment.

Biography:

Dr. M.N.M.Ansari is currently working as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia since 2010. He obtained his Ph.D in Polymer Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Engineering Campus, Malaysia (2009). Dr. Ansari has more than 20 years of teaching, research and industrial experience and has co-authored publications of over 50 research articles in refereed technical journals, 1 book chapter and 1 book to his credit. He has supervised 3 PhD thesis, 15 Master’s thesis and 60 undergraduate final year project thesis. Currently, Dr. Ansari serves as a Technical Program Review Committee for Tech Connect World Innovation Conference - USA, since 2012. He is also working as technical reviewer for many reputed journals. He has delivered Invited lectures in many reputed organizations.

Abstract:

Due to environment and sustainability issues, biocomposites have encountered remarkable interest in the last two decades. Also, due to the expanding waste management concerns, natural fibres composites have drawn the attention of many researchers in this field.  Hybrid polymer composites have embedded a series of natural and synthetic fibers. Each one has intrinsic characteristics that, when combined to a polymer matrix, achieve a high performance and/or sustainable material [1]. One of the major concern in the composite characteristics is the bonding between the reinforcements and the matrix [2]. Even though numbers of composite materials with synthetic fibres such as glass fibres, rayon, nylon etc. and metallic fibres have been used as reinforcing agent but natural fibres have uniqueness among them because of its extraordinary properties such as biodegradability with significant strength and stiffness [3-5].  The purpose of this talk is to bring awareness among the scientist and researchers on introducing a cost effective and cleaner method of improving the chemical interaction between the natural fibres and the polymer matrix through hybridization techniques and minimize the water absorption problems that usually occur in pure natural fibre based polymer composites. To improve on the properties of natural fiber composites and/or overcome some of their limitations such as moisture absorption, thermal stability, brittleness and surface quality, the concept of hybridization of fibre reinforced composites was used in this study. Jute fibre (JF)/Carbon fibre (CF) and Jute fibre (JF)/Kevlar fibre (KF) hybrid epoxy composites were prepared using Vacuum Press Infusion (VPI) method. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were performed as per the ASTM standard methods. The hybrid composites showed improvement in mechanical properties and reduced water absorption characteristics compared to Jute/epoxy composites. Energy absorption characteristics have shown considerable improvement compared to pure epoxy and Jute/Epoxy biocomposites as shown in Figure 1 (a) – (d).