Search

Hydrogel particles are often used as a carrier for immobilization of enzymes, polyphenolic antioxidants, whole microbial, plant or mammalian cells. In many processes, mechanical properties of alginate particles are essential due to their exposure to mechanical forces in production process. Determination and improvement of hydrogels mechanical properties is very important in prevention of the undesirable side effects during the manufacturing process and product application. The aim of this study was to define the mechanical properties of single particles submerged in water and in dry conditions using the compression method between two flat surfaces. The results indicated that the formulation of alginate beads and water loss during compression have significant influence on their mechanical behavior and stiffness. Calcium-alginate particles were produced using an electrostatic droplet extrusion technique, with an initial sodium alginate concentration of 1.5%w/v and calcium chloride (2.0% w/v) as gelling solution. The research findings were used to determine the influence of working conditions, sample deformation (10-50%) and different compression speeds (1-50mm/min) on mechanical strength of alginate beads. The Young’s modules and maximal forces for investigated deformation percentage of the alginate particles were determined from generated force-displacement and stress-strain curves during compression. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46010 i br. ON 174004]

Metallic biomaterials, which are mainly used for the damaged hard tissue replacements, are materials with high strength, excellent toughness and good wear resistance. The disadvantages of metals as implant materials are their susceptibility to corrosion, the elastic modulus mismatch between metals and human hard tissues, relatively high density and metallic ion release which can cause serious health problems. The aim of this study was to examine metallic ion release from Co-Cr-Mo alloy in artificial saliva. In that purpose, alloy samples were immersed into artificial saliva with different pH values (4.0, 5.5 and 7.5). After a certain immersion period (1, 3 and 6 weeks) the concentrations of released ions were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). The research findings were used in order to define the dependence between the concentration of released metallic ions, artificial saliva pH values and immersion time. The determined released metallic ions concentrations were compared with literature data in order to describe and better understand the phenomenon of metallic ion release from the biocompatible cobalt-based alloy. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46010 i br. ON 174004]