Evaluate the structure-properties relationship of dental bonding agents (2018-19)
Evaluate the structure-properties relationship of dental bonding agents (2018-19)
Project outcomes
Sponsored by SDI Limited
Research Background:
Dental bonding agents are used in dentistry to bond the restorative materials to the tooth structure. The adhesive systems are composed of various monomers, solvents, fillers, and photoinitiators that make their molecular formulations quite complex. They must meet specific requirements such as durable and strong adhesion to tooth structure, hydrophobicity of film formed, homogeneity of solution. Understanding the impact of the different components is needed to optimise mechanical properties while maintaining product stability. The proposed project will investigate a series of dental bonding agent formulations and their effects on physical and mechanical properties such as bond strength, hydrophilicity, degree of conversion.
Research Project Proposal:
The proposed project will involve the design and formulation of a series of dental bonding agents to understand the structure-properties relationship. The different formulations will be evaluated for typical dental adhesive physical and mechanical properties (bond strength, hydrophobicity).
Preparation will include design of experiment, adhesive formulation varying type and concentration of dental bonding agent ingredients (e.g. matrix monomer, solvent system). Evaluation will include mechanical and chemical testing of the dental bonding agents prepared.
Project brief
Sponsored by SDI Limited
Research Background:
Dental bonding agents are used in dentistry to bond the restorative materials to the tooth structure. The adhesive systems are composed of various monomers, solvents, fillers, and photoinitiators that make their molecular formulations quite complex. They must meet specific requirements such as durable and strong adhesion to tooth structure, hydrophobicity of film formed, homogeneity of solution. Understanding the impact of the different components is needed to optimise mechanical properties while maintaining product stability. The proposed project will investigate a series of dental bonding agent formulations and their effects on physical and mechanical properties such as bond strength, hydrophilicity, degree of conversion.
Research Project Proposal:
The proposed project will involve the design and formulation of a series of dental bonding agents to understand the structure-properties relationship. The different formulations will be evaluated for typical dental adhesive physical and mechanical properties (bond strength, hydrophobicity).
Preparation will include design of experiment, adhesive formulation varying type and concentration of dental bonding agent ingredients (e.g. matrix monomer, solvent system). Evaluation will include mechanical and chemical testing of the dental bonding agents prepared.
The objective of the project is to determine the compositional factors affecting the bonding performance of experimental dental bonding agents and to propose an optimised formulation for further investigation.
This project may appeal to students who have an understanding of formulation and polymer science and who are comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
Applications for this project are welcome from penultimate and subsequent year undergraduates, Masters and PhD students (coursework and research) who are currently enrolled full-time at Monash including for the period December 2018 to end of February 2019.
Your application will be reviewed by senior university members and assessed against the following criteria:
- Quality of covering letter, resume and on-line application including spelling & grammar
- Relevance of your degree to the project(s) you select
- Skills, ability, knowledge and experience relevant to the project (s) you apply for
- Extra - curricular activities (i.e. sports/clubs & societies/memberships)
- Career goals & ambitions
- Academic performance
- Successful completion of group activity
- Successful interview with industry partner
Please note:
- Scope for MITI projects are determined by the industry partners, this includes student disciplines and whether they require students at undergraduate, Masters or PhD level.
- The final selection of the MITI project team will be made by the industry partner.
- Each industry project will run for 12 weeks over the summer vacation period that is December 2018 through to February 2019 - you must be enrolled as a full time student during this period.
- If selected you must be available and agree to commit for the entire 12 week period.
A cover letter and current CV are mandatory requirements of the application process.
Your cover letter should state the following information in a clear and concise manner:
- why this project is of particular interest to you
- an outline of your experience either through work, study or other interests to support your application
- what you can contribute as a member of the team
SDI Limited
SDI Limited is primarily involved in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of specialist dental materials.
All of SDI's products are manufactured at our Bayswater facility in Victoria, Australia. SDI's products are distributed through distributors and retailers in over 100 countries throughout the world. SDI has offices and warehouses in Chicago, USA; Cologne, Germany; Dublin, Ireland and Sao Paulo, Brazil.