Research work being led by Professor Thomas J. Webster is currently being showcased in the December 2003 issue of the MRS Bulletin. An article entitled "Nanofiber Alumina Enhances Osteoblast Function for Orthopedic Implants" describes the work being done by Professor Webster, Rachel Price, and their colleagues to address the bonding of bone to implant surfaces for dental and orthopedic applications. Professor Webster's group is examining three factors (chemical composition, crystalline phase and topography) that promote enhanced osteoblast response in order to develop a biomaterial that will result in more stable orthopedic implants.

The full article by Ekaterina A. Litvinova is available at www.mrs.org/publications/bulletin