“Innovation Incubator 4.0” within the framework of the non-competitive project of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education “Support for management of scientific research and commercialization of results of R&D works in scientific units and enterprises” No. POIR.04.04.00-00-0004/15 implemented on the basis of the funding agreement concluded between the Minister of Science and Higher Education and the Minister of Development and Finance on 16 November 2016. Priority IV, Measure 4.4 of the Operational Programme Intelligent Development 2014-2020.
Project title: Photo-initiation systems for the preparation of a new generation of safe photocurable dental composites
Project period: 01.06.2021 – 30.09.2022
Grant amount: 58 240 PLN
The solution was created as a response to the specific needs of the industry for new, completely safe, new generation dental composites. There are many dental fillings available on the market, from metals and alloys (mainly amalgams), ceramics, to polymeric materials (including glass ionomer cements, compomers and resin composites). Nevertheless, all of them have some limitations. Resin composites are currently the most popular and desired in the modern dental industry. However, the dental industry is still looking for composites that would meet 4 main assumptions:
• complete absence of toxicity,
• great aesthetics,
• elimination of harmful UV radiation,
• low polymerization shrinkage.
An important aspect is also that the dental filling has a mechanical strength comparable to that of dentin and / or enamel, which nowadays is the greatest challenge for producers of light-cured dental fillings.
A video [in Polish] in which Monika Topa-Skwarczyńska, the project leader, talks about the TRL 4.0 project!
Published in peer-reviewed journals from the JCR list:
- High-performance new photoinitiators for the preparation of functional photocurable polymer composites
Journal: European Polymer Journal (IF 6.3, Ministerial Points:100).
Authors: Monika Topa-Skwarczyńska, Filip Petko, Dominika Krok, Mariusz Galek, Joanna Ortyl
Other achievements:
- March 2023 – Participation in Demo Day Innowacji 4.0 (Kraków)
The project leader attended the Demo Day Innowacji 4.0® (09.03.2023) to promote the newly developed light-curing polymer systems for dental fillings created under the TRL 4.0 project and to learn about the achievements of other people in the industry. - April 2022 – Participation in KRAKDENT® International Dental Fair (Kraków)
The project leader attended the 28th International Dental Fair KRAKDENT® (07–09.04.2022) to promote the newly developed generation of safe photocurable dental composites created under the TRL 4.0 project and to learn about the needs of dental professionals. - November 2021 – Participation in DENTAMED® Dental Fair (Wrocław)
The project leader took part in the 19th Lower Silesian Dental Fair DENTAMED® (05–06.11.2021), presenting the newly developed generation of safe photocurable dental composites developed within the TRL 4.0 project and engaging with practitioners to better understand clinical expectations.