Impact of Surface Chemistry Modifications on Speed and Strength of Osseointegration.

Purpose: To compare the bone responses of chemically modified implants using the plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition method with those of blasted implants.

Materials And Methods: The titanium implants were blasted with resorbable blasting media (RBM) and designated as controls. The ion-implanted implants were divided into two test groups, namely, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) implants.

Charge-transfer-based gas sensing using atomic-layer MoS2.

Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) atomic layers have a strong potential to be used as 2D electronic sensor components. However, intrinsic synthesis challenges have made this task difficult. In addition, the detection mechanisms for gas molecules are not fully understood.

Ultrasmooth, extremely deformable and shape recoverable Ag nanowire embedded transparent electrode.

Transparent electrodes have been widely used in electronic devices such as solar cells, displays, and touch screens. Highly flexible transparent electrodes are especially desired for the development of next generation flexible electronic devices. Although indium tin oxide (ITO) is the most commonly used material for the fabrication of transparent electrodes, its brittleness and growing cost limit its utility for flexible electronic devices.

Surface modification of a ZnO electron-collecting layer using atomic layer deposition to fabricate high-performing inverted organic photovoltaics.

A ripple-structured ZnO film as the electron-collecting layer (ECL) of an inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) was modified by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to add a ZnO thin layer. Depositing a thin ZnO layer by ALD on wet-chemically prepared ZnO significantly increased the short-circuit current (Jsc) of the OPV. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.

Immobilization of pamidronic acids on the nanotube surface of titanium discs and their interaction with bone cells.

Self-assembled layers of vertically aligned titanium nanotubes were fabricated on a Ti disc by anodization. Pamidronic acids (PDAs) were then immobilized on the nanotube surface to improve osseointegration. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the PDA-immobilized TiO2 nanotubes.

Electrochemical synthesis of CdTe/SWNT hybrid nanostructures and their tunable electrical and optoelectrical properties.

A facile electrodeposition technique was utilized to deposit single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with cadmium telluride (CdTe) with well-controlled size, density, surface morphology, and composition. By controlling the applied charge, the morphology of these hybrid nanostructures was altered from CdTe nanoparticles on SWNTs to SWNT/CdTe core/shell nanostructures and the composition of the CdTe nanoparticles was altered from Te-rich (29 at% Cd) to Cd-rich (79 at% Cd) CdTe by adjusting the deposition potential. The electrical and optoelectrical properties of these hybrid nanostructures showed that photo-induced current can be tuned by tailoring the conductivity type (n-type or p-type), morphology, and size of the CdTe nanostructures, with a maximum photosensitivity (ΔI/I(0)) of about 30% for SWNT/Cd-rich CdTe (n-type) core/shell nanostructures.

Highly efficient hybrid thin-film solar cells using a solution-processed hole-blocking layer.

We report the origin of the improvement of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of hybrid thin-film solar cells when a soluble C(60) derivative, [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), is introduced as a hole-blocking layer. The PCBM layer could establish better interfacial contact by decreasing the reverse dark-saturation current density, resulting in a decrease in the probability of carrier recombination. The PCE of this optimized device reached a maximum value of 8.

High efficiency inorganic/organic hybrid tandem solar cells.

Hybrid tandem solar cells comprising an inorganic bottom cell and an organic top cell have been designed and fabricated. The interlayer combination and thickness matching were optimized in order to increase the overall photovoltaic conversion efficiency. A maximum power conversion efficiency of 5.

Effect of bath type on the formation of TiO2 nanotubes in fluoride containing aqueous solution.

TiO2 nanotubes were formed on Ti electrochemically by the application of anodic current in 1 M H3PO4 + 0.3 M HF solution in a glass and Teflon bath. The TiO2 nanotubes could be partly grown in the glass bath while a uniform growth of TiO2 nanotubes was observed over the whole surface in the Teflon bath.

Enhanced osteoblast responses to poly(methyl methacrylate)/hydroxyapatite electrospun nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering.

Hydroxyapatite (HA)-containing polymers have been proposed for improving the biological properties of bone cements. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has long been used to secure orthopedic implants to skeletal bones. The aim of this study was to determine whether the incorporation of HA nanoparticles into the PMMA nanofibrous scaffolds enhances the biological functions of osteoblasts.

ZnO nanosheets decorated with CdSe and TiO2 for the architecture of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Pure and TiO2- and CdSe-deposited ZnO nanosheets aligned vertically to the surface of ITO (Indium tin oxide) are prepared using electrodeposition, which is used for building blocks of dye sensitized solar cell. A significant improvement in the photovoltaic efficiency can be obtained by depositing TiO2 or CdSe on ZnO. Photoluminescence spectra show that the TiO2 and CdSe nanostructures suppress the recombination of the electron-hole pair of ZnO.

The effects of Mg-ion implantation and sandblasting on Porphyromonas gingivalis attachment.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium surface treatment on Porphyromonas gingivalis bacterial attachment.

Materials And Methods: Titanium disks of 15 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness (n=40) were subjected to mechanical grinding, or sandblasting. Magnesium (Mg) ions were implanted onto the titanium surface using a plasma source ion implantation method.

Metal plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MePIIID) on screw-shaped titanium implant: The effects of ion source, ion dose and acceleration voltage on surface chemistry and morphology.

The present study investigated the effect of metal plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MePIIID) process parameters, i.e., plasma sources of magnesium and calcium, ion dose, and acceleration voltage on the surface chemistry and morphology of screw-type titanium implants that have been most widely used for osseointegrated implants.

Composite nanofiber mats consisting of hydroxyapatite and titania for biomedical applications.

Composite nanofiber mats (HA/TiO2) consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and titania (TiO2) were fabricated via an electrospinning technique and then collagen (type I) was immobilized on the surface of the HA/TiO2 composite nanofiber mat to improve tissue compatibility. The structure and morphology of the collagen-immobilized composite nanofiber mat (HA/TiO2-col) was investigated using an X-ray diffractometer, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The potential of the HA/TiO2-col composite nanofiber mat for use as a bone scaffold was assessed by an experiment with osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) in terms of cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.

Bone response of Mg ion-implanted clinical implants with the plasma source ion implantation method.

Objectives: This study examined the bone response of magnesium (Mg) ion-implanted implants produced using a plasma source ion implantation method.

Materials And Methods: The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The screw-type titanium implants were treated with resorbable blasting media (RBM) and divided into one control group (RBM implants) and three test groups (Mg ion-implanted implants with different retained Mg doses).

Lessons from follow-up examinations in patients with vestibular neuritis: how to interpret findings from vestibular function tests at a compensated stage.

Objectives: Most patients complaining of dizziness seek medical services in the interictal period, which is thought to be a compensated stage. Thus, we wanted to investigate the results of vestibular function tests (VFTs) at a compensated stage in patients with vestibular neuritis to determine the presence and the sides of vestibular hypofunction.

Study Design: Retrospective case series review.

Tympanometry and CT Measurement of Middle Ear Volumes in Patients with Unilateral Chronic Otitis Media.

Objectives: The goals of the study were to compare the middle ear (ME) volumes from both normal and lesioned ears, and these ME volumes were measured by a digital image processing computed tomography (CT) program in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media, and we wanted to compare the ME volumes of the lesioned ears by comparing the ME volumes obtained by tympanometry with those ME volumes measured by the digital image processing CT program.

Methods: Forty-four patients who had unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) and contralateral normal tympanic membranes (TM) and 100 subjects with normal TMs were included in the study. The normal volumes of the external auditory canal (EAC) were measured in the normal group.

Oxidized, bioactive implants are rapidly and strongly integrated in bone. Part 1--experimental implants.

Objectives: The study presented was designed to investigate the speed and the strength of osseointegration of oxidized implants at early healing times in comparison which machined, turned implants.

Material And Methods: Screw-shaped titanium implants were prepared and divided into two groups: magnesium ion incorporated, oxidized implants (Mg implants, n=10) and machined, turned implants (controls, n=10). Mg implants were prepared using micro-arc oxidation methods.

Biomechanical measurements of calcium-incorporated oxidized implants in rabbit bone: effect of calcium surface chemistry of a novel implant.

Background: In oral implantology there has been a general trend away from machine-turned minimally rough and acid-etched and blasted implants toward intermediary roughened surfaces. Mechanical interlocking at micron resolution is claimed to be the dominant reason for the fixation of such implants in bone. However, clinical demands for stronger and faster bone bonding to the implant (eg, in immediately loaded and compromised bone cases) have motivated the development of novel surfaces capable of chemical bonding.

Surface analysis of anodic oxide films containing phosphorus on titanium.

Purpose: To examine the effect of phosphoric acid solution on the anodic oxide film of titanium.

Materials And Methods: Commercially pure grade 2 titanium specimens were prepared and anodized in phosphoric acid solution at a constant current density (70 A/m2). Specimens were evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, electron probe microanalysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, profilometry, and atomic force microscopy.

Characteristics of the surface oxides on turned and electrochemically oxidized pure titanium implants up to dielectric breakdown: the oxide thickness, micropore configurations, surface roughness, crystal structure and chemical composition.

Titanium implants have been used widely and successfully for various types of bone-anchored reconstructions. It is believed that properties of oxide films covering titanium implant surfaces are of crucial importance for a successful osseointegration, in particular at compromized bone sites. The aim of the present study is to investigate the surface properties of anodic oxides formed on commercially pure (c.