THE DEVELOPMENT OF GLASSES WITH CONTROLLED IONS RELEASE FOR APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE AND MEDICINE

The aim of this project is the development of a new generation of materials based on multi-component phosphate glasses applicable as nutrients for vegetable cultures and as resorbable materials for application in medicine. The advantage of these materials is that the glasses are flexible to changes in chemical composition, which enables the addition of new components in different quantities and in such a way that the mechanism and kinetics of dissolution processes can be designed. Moreover, self-regulation of the realized dissolution processes and the rates of the released components to balance with the consumed ones enable the elimination of unacceptable accumulations or deficiencies of these components. They positively affect the nitrogen fixation process in the soil, which is a key condition for microflora development. Such effects are influenced by the formation of clusters of microelement at the surface of glass granules. Slow-release glasses are good materials for the nutrition of algae colonies and bacteria in the case of biological protection of plants and for other applications in eco-engineering. In addition, medicine requires materials which can be resorbed over a long period of time. Using implant materials, patient trauma can be alleviated, the capacity for human body recovering increased, the need for repeated operation avoided and all medical costs decreased. The materials based on these glasses are appropriate candidates to meet such requirements.