The biocompatibility of materials for hard tissue implants is under intensive investigation nowadays. We propose to provide improved biocompatibility by using the influence of an electric charge on the living system. As substrates for thin ferroelectric layers, we will prepare promising Ti alloys (without suspect components, and preferably as thin coatings). Substrates with excellent corrosion resistance will be characterized by mechanical, chemical and tribological tests. The surface of these Ti alloys will be covered by a spontaneously polarized ferroelectric film (BaTiO₃, K(Ta,Nb)O₃, etc. in single phase or composite form), with an electric charge on the surface. Mechanical, tribological and dielectric properties important for bioapplications will be tested. The project is based on determining the impact of the overlayer properties on the adhesion, growth, differentiation and viability of osteogenic cells in vitro. We will estimate the possible immune activation of cells growing on the material and the potential genotoxicity of the material.

The project utilizing up-to-date crystal engineering approaches is focused on the field of material research of crystalline compounds for non-linear optics (NLO). The applied approach for the preparation of novel molecular crystals - potential second harmonic generators - is based on the selection of organic heteroaromatic bases as molecular carriers of NLO properties. This selection will be based not only on quantum-chemical computations but also on experimental verification of NLO properties in solutions. The consequent step will be preparation of derived non-centrosymmetric crystalline materials – i.e. hydrogen bonded salts and cocrystals. The detailed characterization of obtained materials will be performed by the combination of diffraction, spectroscopic, optical, calorimetric and computational methods. Finally, bulk single crystals of promising materials will be grown with the respect to the finalization of NLO properties determination for potential technical applications.