Modification of an Implant Material

Titanium metal is a commonly used implant material which can be colonized by bacteria. Biofilms are formed when bacteria colonizes, attaches to a surface, and immobilizes. Bacterial infections or biofilms are hard to treat once formed on the surface of a metal implant. Coating the material may minimize bacteria attachment. Self-assembled monolayers are comprised of molecules that contain both a head and tail group, and can be used to coat metal to prevent biofilm formation and bacteria growth. 12-mercaptododecylphosphonic acid self-assembled monolayers have a phosphonic acid head group and a thiol tail group. A solution of 12-mercaptododecylphosphonic acid in tetrahydrofuran was used to form self-assembled monolayers on the surface of titanium. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy was used to evaluate the attachment of the self-assembled monolayers. Alkyl-chain ordered self-assembled monolayers formed on the titanium surface, with the thiol tail group free at the interface for additional reactions. The monolayer attachment strength was further tested through acid, base, and tape tests

The Scientific Method as a Scaffold to Enhance Communication Skills in Chemistry

Scientific success in the field of chemistry depends upon the mastery of a wide range of soft skills, most notably scientific writing and speaking. However, training for scientific communication is typically limited at the undergraduate level, where students struggle to express themselves in a clear and logical manner. The underlying issue is deeper than basic technical skills; rather, it is a problem of students’ unawareness of a fundamental and strategic framework for writing and speaking with a purpose. The methodology has been implemented for individual mentorship and in our regional summer research program to deliver a blueprint of thought and reasoning that endows students with the confidence and skills to become more effective communicators. Our didactic process intertwines undergraduate research with the scientific method and is partitioned into six steps, referred to as “phases”, to allow for focused and deep thinking on the essential components of the scientific method. The phases are designed to challenge the student in their zone of proximal development so they learn to extract and ultimately comprehend the elements of the scientific method through focused written and oral assignments. Students then compile their newly acquired knowledge to create a compelling and logical story, using their persuasive written and oral presentations to complete a research proposal, final report, and formal 20 min presentation. We find that such an approach delivers the necessary guidance to promote the logical framework that improves writing and speaking skills. Over the past decade, we have witnessed both qualitative and quantitative gains in the students’ confidence in their abilities and skills (developed by this process), preparing them for future careers as young scientists

Reduction of 3T3 fibroblast adhesion on SS316L by methyl-terminated SAMs

Inhibiting the non-specific adhesion of cells and proteins to biomaterials such as stents, catheters and guide wires is an important interfacial issue that needs to be addressed in order to reduce surface-related implant complications. Medical grade stainless steel 316L was used as a model system to address this issue. To alter the interfacial property of the implant, self-assembled monolayers of long chain phosphonic acids with -CH3, -COOH, and -OH tail groups were formed on the native oxide surface of medical grade stainless steel 316 L. The effect of varying the tail groups on 3T3 fibroblast adhesion was investigated. The methyl-terminated phosphonic acid significantly prevented cell adhesion however presentation of hydrophilic tail groups at the interface did not significantly reduce cell adhesion when compared to the control stainless steel 316L. © 2010 Elsevier B.V

Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on carboxylic acid SAMs on Ti-6Al-4V

The formation of methyl-terminated carboxylic acid self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with even numbers of carbons, from eighteen to thirty, was investigated on the oxide surface of Ti-6Al-4V and component metal oxides. Modified surfaces were characterized using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and contact angle analysis. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that using aerosol spray deposition techniques, stable, all-trans SAMs of octacosanoic (28 carbons) and triacontanoic (30 carbons) acids were formed on the alloy. Films were similarly formed on titanium and aluminum oxide. The surface of vanadium oxide exhibited limited reactivity. MALDI-TOF MS confirmed that formed films were monolayers, without multilayers or aggregates present. Water contact angles are indicative of the presence of hydrophobic methyl groups at the interface. This stable carboxylic acid SAM formation could be a useful alternative to phosphonic acid SAMs for corrosion and other applications. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Polystyrene formation on monolayer-modified nitinol effectively controls corrosion

A surface-initiated polymerization of styrene on carboxylic acid terminated phosphonic monolayers was utilized to increase the corrosion resistance of nitinol and nickel oxide surfaces. Alkyl chain ordering, organic reactions, wettability, and film quality of the monolayers and polymers were determined by infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization spectrometry, and water contact angles. The polystyrene film proved to be a better corrosion barrier than phosphonic acid monolayers by analysis with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The protection efficiency of the polystyrene film on nitinol was 99.4% and the monolayer was 42%

Antimicrobial Activity of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Ti-6Al-4V Metal Oxide

Titanium and titanium alloy materials are commonly used in joint replacements, due to the high strength of the materials. Pathogenic microorganisms can easily adhere to the surface of the metal implant, leading to an increased potential for implant failure. The surface of a titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) metal oxide implant material was functionalized to deliver an small antibacterial molecule, nitric oxide. -nitroso-penicillamine, a -nitrosothiol nitric oxide donor, was covalently immobilized on the metal oxide surface using self-assembled monolayers. Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the attachment of the -nitrosothiol donor to the Ti-Al-4V surface. Attachment of -nitroso-penicillamine resulted in a nitric oxide (NO) release of 89.6 ± 4.8 nmol/cm² under physiological conditions. This low concentration of nitric oxide reduced and growth by 41.5 ± 1.2% and 25.3 ± 0.6%, respectively. Combining the -nitrosothiol releasing Ti-6Al-4V with tetracycline, a commonly-prescribed antibiotic, increased the effectiveness of the antibiotic by 35.4 ± 1.3%, which allows for lower doses of antibiotics to be used. A synergistic effect of ampicillin with -nitroso-penicillamine-modified Ti-6Al-4V against was not observed. The functionalized Ti-6Al-4V surface was not cytotoxic to mouse fibroblasts