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Biodegradable 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications have been extensively studied as they can provide an attractive porous architecture mimicking natural bone, with tunable physical and mechanical properties enhancing positive cellular response. The main drawbacks of polycaprolactone-based scaffolds, limiting their applications in tissue engineering are: their hydrophobic nature, low bioactivity and poor mechanical properties compared to native bone tissue. To overcome these issues, the surface of scaffolds is usually modified and covered with a ceramic layer. However, a detailed description of the adhesion forces of ceramic particles to the polymer surface of the scaffolds is still lacking. Our present work is focused on obtaining PCL-based composite scaffolds to strengthen the architecture of the final product. In this manuscript, we report qualitative and quantitative evaluation of low temperature plasma modification followed by detailed studies of the adhesion forces between chemically attached ceramic layer and the surface of polycaprolactone-nanohydroxyapatite composite 3D-printed scaffolds. The results suggest modification-dependent alteration of the internal structure and morphology, as well as mechanical and physical scaffold properties recorded with atomic force microscopy. Moreover, changes in the material surface were followed by enhanced adhesion forces binding the ceramic layer to polymer-based scaffolds.

Composite scaffolds of bioactive glass (SiO2-CaO) and bioresorbable polyesters: poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were produced by polymer coating of porous foams. Their structure and mechanical properties were investigated in micro and nanoscale, by the means of scanning electron microscopy, PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping (PF-QNM) atomic force microscopy, micro-computed tomography and contact angle measurements. This is one of the first studies in which the nanomechanical properties (elastic modulus, adhesion) were measured and mapped simultaneously with topography imaging (PF-QNM AFM) for bioactive glass and bioactive glass - polymer coated scaffolds. Our findings show that polymer coated scaffolds had higher average roughness and lower stiffness in comparison to pure bioactive glass scaffolds. Such coating-dependent scaffold properties may promote different cells-scaffold interaction.

For the first time an orthorhombic bismuth zinc borate (Bi 2 ZnB 2 O 7 , BZBO) with noncentrosymmetric structure was synthesized by means of modified Pechini method. This approach allowed to reduce both the duration and temperature of the procedure in comparison to conventional solid state synthesis of desirable compounds in form of polycrystalline powders. Selected RE 3+ dopants were successfully introduced into BZBO matrix using this method. The obtained materials were studied and crystallographic calculations were performed in order to confirm the structure of as-prepared polycrystals. Morphology of obtained powders was investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy measurements were done in order to proceed chemical microanalysis. Second Harmonic Generation measurements showed strong effect of incorporated RE 3+ ions on the increasing second order nonlinear optical response of BZBO:RE 3+ powders.

Collagen fibril/(calcium phosphate and carbonate) composite coatings on 316L stainless steel were developed with a cathodic deposition technique. The response of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells to the collagen/calcium salt-coated 316L steel was investigated. The collagen fibrils were self-assembled on the 316L steel surface and immobilized by their partial incorporation into a calcium salt layer electrodeposited cathodically in Hanks’ solution. The amount of calcium salt depended on the applied cathodic potential. The mineralization of collagen fibrils was observed. The collagen coverage localized and the composition of calcium salts varied on the same specimen. Such non-uniform surfaces affected the cell response. The observed outlines of cell bodies and nuclei on the thin collagen coating were clearer than those on the thick collagen coating in most cases. The collagen coating did not significantly influence the mean viability of cells on the whole specimen surface. Interestingly, the alkaline phosphatase activity per cell on the collagen/calcium salt-coated specimens was higher than that on the as-received specimen. It was revealed that cathodic deposition is an effective technique to immobilize collagen fibrils on a 316L steel surface.

Nanocrystalline cobalt was carburised with ethylene in the range 340– 500°C to obtain Co(C) nanocapsules. The carbon deposit was reduced by a flow of hydrogen in the range 500– 560°C. The reduction kinetics were studied using thermogravimetry, described by the equation: α = Α[1-exp(-kt)n]. The apparent activation energy of the reduction process of the carbon deposit was determined. After carburisation and reduction the samples were examined by XRD and HRTEM.

The paper presents the results obtained on nanometric austenitic stainless steel processed by High Pressure Torsion (HPT)[1-2]. The aim of the project was to investigate properties of the oxide layers formed on the material subjected to Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) in comparison to standard micrometer grain size specimens. Therefore AFM investigations have been carried out on the specimens surfaces subjected to HPT and the subsequent surface cleaning and exposure to ambient air. TEM studies of the substrate and measurements of trybological properties have also been made. The results of all these experiments are discussed in terms of the characteristics of nanosized austenitic stainless steels.