Biomaterials Engineering Sciences

Applying Material Science to Healthcare

PhD Student Projects

Ms. Lana Placek 

  • Project: Investigating Yttrium/Cerium Containing Bioactive Glass/Ceramic Scaffolds to Aid in Spinal Cord Recovery.
  • Abstract: This project aims to develop a glass-ceramic scaffold that can replace damaged regions of the spine and aid in the guidance and protection of the spinal cord in an attempt to restore its function. These serium/yittrium containing glass compositions will initially be characterized using Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) to determine the effect these elements have on glass structure. The solubility and ion release profiles for each element in the glass will be described using pH measurements and Inductively Couples Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The soluility of the materials will be tailored using crystallization with the corresponding effect on mechanical durability being described as a function of maturation in an aqueous media. Initial cell culture studies will focus on determining the cell viability in osteoblasts and fibroblasts and subsequently on nerve cells and astrocytes. 
  • Position: Current PhD Student.
  • e-mail: LMP2@alfred.edu
  • Advisor: Dr. A.W. Wren.
  • Publishing. 
  • Pending.


  • Presenting.
  • Characterization and solubility of Y2O3 and CeO2 containing bioactive glasses to aid in spinal cord recovery. L. Placek, A.W. Wren. 40th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 25-27th, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 2014.

Mr. Timothy Keenan 

  • Project: Dextran Based Hydrogels for Delivery of Ionic Dissolution Products from Bioactive Glasses.
  • Abstract: A series of Gallium containing bioactive glasses has been developed and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy  (XPS). Inductively Couples Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to determine ion release profiles of the glass series up to 12 months. This projects aims to use dextran based hydrogels to deliver micron sized bioactive glass particles and or the ionic dissolution products from these glasses. ICP-OES will be used to determine the hydrogel/glass composite materials solubility with respect to incubation time in addition to any changes in surface characteristics when incubated in Simulated Body Fliud (SBF). Additionally the therapeutic effect of the composite materials solubility will be tested in relevant mammalian cells including osteoblasts, fibroblasts and osteosarcoma cells.
  • Position: Current PhD Student.
  • e-mail: TJK2@alfred.edu
  • Advisors: Dr. A.W. Wren / Dr. M.M. Hall.
  • Publishing. 
  • Pending


  • Presenting.
  • Dextran based hydrogels for in situ delivery of gallium containing bioactive glasses. T..J. Keenan, M.M. Hall, A.W. Wren. 40th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 25-27th, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 2014.

Mr. Chokchai Yatongchai 

  • Project:  Incorporating Dopants to Improve the Mechanical Properties and Bioactivity of Hydroxyapatite.
  • Abstract: This project aims to determine the effect of doping 5% and 10% strontium in place of calcium in hydroxyapatite and characterizing any evident structural changes and relating these changes to differences in mechanical properties and solubility. Additional objectives include modifying hydroxyapatite with bioactive glass particles and determining differences in mechanical properties, bioactivity, and solubility with respect to maturation.
  • Position: Current PhD Student.
  • e-mail: CY3@alfred.edu
  • Advisor: Dr. A.W. Wren.
  • Publishing.
  • Comparison of the weibull characteristics of hydroxyapatite and strontium doped hydroxyapatite. C. Yatongchai, A.W. Wren, D.J. Curran, J-C. Hornez, M.R. Towler. J. Mec. Beh. Biomed. Mat. 21C: 95-108 2013. 
  • Investigating the effect of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-Na2O-ZnO bioactive glass doped hydroxyapatite – characterization and structural evaluation. C. Yatongchai, A.W. Wren, D.J. Curran, S. Hampshire, M.R. Towler. Journal of Material Science: Materials in Medicine 25(7): 1645-59 2014.
  • Presenting.
  • Processing and mechanical testing of strontium substituted hydroxyapatite/glass composites. C. Yatongchai, M.R. Towler, A.W. Wren40th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 25-27th, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 2014.
  • An Investigation into the Structure and Properties of CaO-ZnO-SiO2-TiO2-Na2O Bioactive glass/Hydroxyapatite Composites. C. Yatongchai, M.R. Towler, A.W. Wren. 39th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 5-7th, Syracuse University, NY, USA 2013.

Ms. Dimple Pradhan 

  • Project: D
  • Abstract: T
  • Position: Current PhD Student.
  • e-mail: DP6@alfred.edu
  • Advisor: Dr. N.P. Mellott


M.Sc Student Projects

Ms. Yiming Li 

  • Project: Determining the Effect of Sr2+ and Na+ on the Structure, Solubility and Bioactivity of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-SrO/Na2O Bioactive Glasses.
  • Abstract: The aim of this project is to determine any changes in structure, solubility and bioactivity of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-SrO/Na2O containing glasses. Changes in solubility is investigated as a function of glass composition, the effect of crystallization and incubation time in an aqueous environment. Initial studies include characterization of each glass using Raman Spectroscopy, Magic Angle Spinning - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Ion release profiles of both the glass and ceramic analogues are determined with the corresponding effect of solubility on the mechanical durability of the glasses and ceramics as a function of incubation time in aqueous media. Further studies include determining the materials bioactivity using simulated body fluid testing, cell culture analysis (fibroblast and osteoblast), specifically focusing on how cell viability is related to glass and ceramic solubility, in addition to fixing and growing osteoblast cells on the materials surfaces.
  • Position: Current M.Sc Student.
  • e-mail: YL11@alfred.edu
  • Advisor: Dr. A.W. Wren.
  • Publishing. 
  • Investigating the Mechanical Durability of Bioactive Glasses as a Function of Structure, Solubility and Incubation Time. Y. Li, A. Coughlan, F.R Laffir, D. Pradhan, N.P Mellott, A.W. Wren. J. Non-Crys. Sol. 380: 25-34 2013.
  • Investigating the Surface Reactivity of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-Na2O/SrO Bioceramics as a Function of Structure and Incubation Time in Simulated Body Fluid. Y. Li, A. Coughlan, A.W. Wren. Journal of Material Science: Materials in Medicine. 10.1007/s10856-014-5229-x.
  • Presenting.
  • Mechanical Durability of Bioactive Glasses as a Function of Structure, Solubility and Incubation Time. Y. Li, A. Coughlan, A.W. Wren. 40th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 25-27th, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 2014.
  • Structure and Simulated body fluid testing of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-Na2O/SrO Bioactive Glasses. Y. Li, A. Coughlan, A.W. Wren. Masters Level Graduate Research Conference, April 20th, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, NY, USA 2013.
  • Characterization and Solubility of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-Na2O/SrO Bioactive Glasses. Y. Li, A. Coughlan, A.W. Wren. 39th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 5-7th, Syracuse University, NY, USA 2013.

Ms. Lana Placek 

  • Project: Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cements:  Investigating the Role of Gallium on Glass Structure, Physical Properties and Bioactivity.
  • Abstract: This project aims to investigate the addition of Gallium (Ga) to the glass phase of Glass Polyalkenoate Cements (GPC), as Ga has previously been investigated for its ability to eradicate tumor cells and pathogenic bacteria. This project aims to evaluate Ga effect on the glass structure and the resulting physical properties and bioactivity. Glass structure investigation primarily include X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differentail Thermal Analysis (DTA) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Physical properties include determining the setting characteristics (working time and setting time) and mechanical properties (comressive strength testing and biaxial flexural strength testing). Mechanical properties of the Ga-GPC were evaluated with respect to a number of parameters including Ga concentration within the glass, polyacrylic acid molecular weight (E9 & E11), polyacrylic acid concentration (50, 55, 60wt%) and with respect to maturation in an aqueous environment (1, 7, 30 days). Determining the bioactivity includes determining the solubility of the GPCs in addition to determining surface morphological changes in aqueous media representing physiological fluids and cell culture analysis (fibroblasts and osteosarcoma cells). 
  • Position: Graduated M.Sc Student.
  • e-mail: LMP2@alfred.edu
  • Advisor: Dr. M.R. Towler.
  • Publishing.
  •  Gallium containing glass polyalkenoate anti-cancerous bone cements: glass characterization and physical properties. A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan, L. Placek, M.R. TowlerJ. Mat. Sci: Mater. Med. 23: 8 1823-1833 2012.
  • Presenting.
  • Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Bone Cements: Ion Release and E. coli Inhibition. L. Placek, A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan, M.R. Towler. 39thAnnual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 5-7th, Syracuse University, NY, USA 2013.
  • Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cement: Glass Characterization and Physical Properties, L. Placek, A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan & M.R. Towler; 38th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2012.

Mr. Timothy Keenan 

  • Project: Investigating the Effect Gallium has on the Structure of SiO2-Na2O-CaO-ZnO Bioactive Glass.
  • Abstract: A series of Gallium (Ga) containing bioactive glasses were developed and characterized using a number of relevant glass characterization techniques including Raman Spectroscopy, Magic Angle Spinning - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This study was conducted to determine the role Ga plays within this glass series, i.e. a network former or a network modifier. Ga has previously been employed as a subsitiute for Aluminium (Al) in silicate glasses and this study aims to investigate the effect of its role on glass solubility and the therapeutic potential. Ion release profiles are conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) which provide information on the solubility of these glasses which is intrinsically related to their structure. 
  • Position: Graduated M.Sc. Student.
  • e-mail: TJK2@alfred.edu
  • Advisors: Dr. M.M. Hall.
  • Publishing. 
  • Characterization of Ga2O3-Na2O-CaO-ZnO-SiO2 Bioactive Glasses. A.W. Wren, T.J. Keenan, A. Coughlan, F.R. Laffir, D. Boyd, M.R. Towler, M.M. Hall. J. Mat. Sci. 48: 3999-4007 2013.
  • Presenting.
  • Relating pH and Ion Release from Ga2O3-Na2O-CaO-ZnO-SiO2 Bioactive Glasses. T.J. Keenan, A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan, M.R. Towler, M.M. Hall. 39th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, April 5-7th, Syracuse University, NY, USA 2013.
  • The Structural Characterization of Ga2O3-Na2O-CaO-ZnO-SiO2 Bioactive Glass. T.J. Keenan, A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan, M.M. Hall, M.R. Towler; 38th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2012.

Ms. Pegah Hassanzadeh 

  • Project: Silver Coated Bioactive Glass Particules for Wound Healing Applications.
  • Abstract: A series of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-ZnO glass particles were produced by the traditional melt-quench method. The glass particles were ground to two different particles sizes (90 and 425 micron) and were coated using silver nitrate by spin coating. The coated and uncoated glass particles were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Advanced Surface Area and Porosity (ASAP) to investigate the distribution of the silver (Ag) coating on the glass particles, and the particles exposed surface area. The antimicrobial potential of both the coated and uncoated glass particles were tested in a number of oppertunistic pathogens. The microbes tested for this work were the bacterium E. coli and S. epidermidis and the fungi C. albicans. It was determined that the Ag coated, 90 micron glass particles exhibited much greater antimicrobial properties then the uncoated materials
  • Position: Graduated M.Sc Student. 
  • Advisor: Dr. M.R. Towler.
  • Publishing.
  • Silver coated bioactive glass particles for wound healing applications. A.W. Wren, A. Coughlan, P. Hassanzadeh, M.R. Towler. J. Mat. Sci: Mater. Med. 23:5 2012.


  • Presenting.
  • Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Coated Bioactive Glass Particles for Wound Healing Applications. P. Hassanzadeh, A. W. Wren, M. R. Towler. Innovations in Biomedical Materials, Sep 10-13th, Hilton North Raleigh-Midtown, NC, USA, 2012.
  • Silver coated bioactive glasses for wound healing applications. P. Hassanzadeh, A.W. Wren, M.R. Towler. 38thAnnual Northeast Bioengineering Conference; Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2012.

Mr. Jeffrey Hansen 

  • Project: Ion Release and Antibacterial Activity of Titanium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cements.
  • Abstract: A series of SiO2-TiO2-CaO-ZnO-SrO glass series was produced by the traditional melt-quench method. A Titanium (Ti) free control glass and two Ti glasses (3mol% and 6mol%). Glasses were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Magic Angle Spinning - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). GPCs were produced using each glass with E11 PAA (Mw, 210,000) at 40, 50 and 60wt% PAA additions. Handling characteristics (working and setting time) were described with compressive strength and ion release profiles recorded with respect to aging in an aqueous media. Antibacterial properties were conducted using E. coli and S. epidermidis employing the broth dilution and the aagar diffusion method.
  • Position: Former M.Sc Student. 
  • Advisor: Dr. M.R. Towler.
  • Publishing. 
  • Aluminium free glass polyalkenoate cements: ion release and in vitro antibacterial efficacyA.W. Wren, J.P. Hansen, S. Hayakawa, M.R. Towler. J. Mat. Sci: Mater. Med. 24 :5 2013.

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