We are engaged in research and development of medical materials (biomaterials) based on inorganic materials and in education of students related to them. We are particularly focusing on research and development on materials that bind to living tissues and/or are available for tissue regeneration and reconstruction. As inorganic materials, we have been studying bioactive glasses and calcium phosphates. These inorganic materials are composite or hybridized with metallic materials or organic polymers to develop novel medical materials with new functions / properties. And we are also trying to design and prepare materials with precisely controlled nano- and/or microstructures and to propose their applications for the medical field. We are actively promoting collaborative research with researchers and companies in Japan and overseas. We have successfully established the surface treatment technology (GRAPE®) of metallic implants for artificial joints under the collaboration with a company so far.
Introduction to Projects
Preparation of Highly-oriented Polycrystalline Ceramics Composed of Ion-substituted Hydroxyapatite
In order to develop novel ceramics-based biomaterials that can replace the functions of tissues, influences of the structure and chemical composition of apatite ceramics on biocompatibility are clarified.
- Preparation of partially ion-substituted hydroxyapatite Oxo-acid ion-substituted apatite ceramics are prepared to control their lattice structures, since disorder of the lattice structure of hydroxyapatite influences its biodegradability and adsorption behaviors of cellular growth factors.
- Preparation of highly-oriented polycrystalline oxide ceramics To mimic the surface structure of the tooth enamel, nanorod arrays of hydroxyapatite crystals having preferred orientation are prepared by soaking calcium-containing silicate glass substrates in alkaline phosphate solutions.
Fabrication of Biomaterials via Electrochemical Techniques
- Fabrication of composites of biological components and scaffolds using electrochemical techniques and their medical application.
- Process development and medical applications of organic-inorganic nanocomposites by electrochemical methods using pulse or alternating electric fields.
- Development of coating process using biologically derived nanofibers such as cellulose nanofibers and chitin/chitosan nanofibers.