Preparation and characterization of TiO 2 ‐coated polymerization of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) for biomedical applications: In vitro study

Research and application of surface heat treatment for CO2 continuous laser ablation of polymeric methyl methacrylate materials

Based on the influence of a filamentous laser Gaussian heat source and its movement speed on Polymeric Methyl Methacrylate materials (PMMA sheets), the physical model of heat transfer of PMMA materials by CO2 continuous laser ablation was established. Numerical simulation research on heat transfer in CO2 continuous laser processing of PMMA sheets was carried out by applying the heat transfer model, and experiments on continuous laser processing of PMMA sheets were conducted on the basis of the numerical simulation results. Theoretical and experimental research indicated that under relevant conditions, when the laser power was 20 W, the maximum surface temperature of PMMA sheet was approximately 520 K, which was higher than the melting temperature of the PMMA material, achieving the transformation of the PMMA material from solid to liquid phase in the laser ablation area. When the laser power was 40 W, the CO2 continuous laser could vaporize the PMMA material, cracking the polymer structure of polymethyl methacrylate. When the laser power was 80 W, the maximum surface temperature of the PMMA sheet was approximately 1300 K, and the processing efficiency of CO2 continuous laser ablation of the PMMA material was the highest. The above research provided theoretical guidance and process optimization for the research of CO2 continuous laser ablation of PMMA sheets. The consistency between the experimental results and the numerical simulation results demonstrated the correctness and feasibility of the theoretical model, which has certain universality and reference value for the optimization research of laser processing non-metallic materials and polymer materials.

Denture Base Resin Coated with Titanium Dioxide (TiO2): A Systematic Review

Background

The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of coating with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 nanoparticle) on the surface condition of removable acrylic resin prosthetic base materials.

Methods

Our review is registered in the PROSPERO database under the identification code CRD42023397170. Electronic database searches of PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct including studies from January 2009 to January 2023 were conducted and supplemented with manual searches. Research questions were generated in accordance with the PICO strategy. The modified Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies.

Results

Since the included studies were variable in design, a meta-analysis was not performed. The electronic searches retrieved 29 references that met the eligibility criteria, among which 5 studies matched the inclusion criteria for this review. Significant differences were detected between the TiO2 NP-coated and uncoated groups. The available data indicate that TiO2 NP coating elicits antimicrobial activity and improves the wear resistance of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) surfaces. Moreover, the nanoparticles provide high levels of glossiness and decelerate the process of color change of heat-cured acrylic resin, thus increasing the lifespan of dentures.

Conclusion

The collective results clearly indicate that TiO2 nanoparticle coating induces alterations in the surface properties of pure PMMA, enhancing the mechanical, physical and biological characteristics of the denture base material. Further studies are essential to identify the optimal thickness of coating and concentrations of nanoparticles for clinical applications.

Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices

Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses both science and engineering, which aims to design and fabricate devices capable of manipulating extremely low volumes of fluids on a microscale level. The central objective of microfluidics is to provide high precision and accuracy while using minimal reagents and equipment. The benefits of this approach include greater control over experimental conditions, faster analysis, and improved experimental reproducibility. Microfluidic devices, also known as labs-on-a-chip (LOCs), have emerged as potential instruments for optimizing operations and decreasing costs in various of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, food, and cosmetics. However, the high price of conventional prototypes for LOCs devices, generated in clean room facilities, has increased the demand for inexpensive alternatives. Polymers, paper, and hydrogels are some of the materials that can be utilized to create the inexpensive microfluidic devices covered in this article. In addition, we highlighted different manufacturing techniques, such as soft lithography, laser plotting, and 3D printing, that are suitable for creating LOCs. The selection of materials and fabrication techniques will depend on the specific requirements and applications of each individual LOC. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous alternatives for the development of low-cost LOCs to service industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and biomedicine.