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Researchers at the University of Dundee have won a surprise award for their work in an area which has implications for everything from bridge building to tooth repair.
The five materials scientists were today (June 3) named by the Institute of Materials as winners of the Alan Glanvill Award for their work in pioneering a novel technique which casts light on how polymers in structures as diverse as dental fillings and the adhesive joints in bridges are affected by exposure to liquid environments.
The five, who come from different disciplines, believe that the University of Dundee's compact nature aided them in leaping the conventional inter-disciplinary barriers to cross fertilise their ideas.
They are:
Dr Charles Lloyd, department of dental prosthetics and gerontology
Dr Sheelagh Scrimgeour, department of chemistry/dental prosthetics
Professor Geoff Hunter, head of the department of chemistry
Dr Sandy Chudek, department of chemistry
Mrs Gina MacKay, department of chemistry
The team brought the technique of magnetic resonance micro-imaging, more commonly associated with body scans, to the study of polymers using high resolution instruments which have the unique capability of following the ingress of each component in liquid mixtures . The micro-imaging technique allows the scientists to see what liquids are absorbed by the polymers and track the patterns of absorption.
'This is an important area which, until now, has tended to rely on theoretical models rather than practical evidence,' explains Dr Lloyd. 'We know for example that dental fillings absorb moisture in the mouth and some of the liquid components in food, drink and saliva have the potential to soften the polymer but we know little about that absorption process. This technique could help us analyse what is going on and could lead us to develop an improved filling material.'
Cough sweets, curry, ice cream, hot tea and alcohol are just a few of the challenges dental fillings have to withstand. Dr Lloyd continues :
'The mouth is one of the most aggressive environments known. It is permanently wet. Materials in the mouth have to cope with rapid and large-scale changes of temperature - from 0 degrees to 60 degrees in seconds. They are exposed to relatively powerful solvent mixtures in food and drink. They must withstand powerful biting forces and abrasion from opposing teeth and some food. Obviously surface softening will lead to an increased wear rate and earlier failure.
'By using nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging we can see in a completely non-invasive way where the liquid is and how much is there. The use of this technique to look at dental materials is unique to Dundee. '
The team, who had no idea their paper was being considered for the award until the Institute told them they had won, will be presented with the award at a formal dinner in London on July 1.
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