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In 30 years working with polyurethanes, Expert has developed numerous types of polyurethane elastomers, foams, adhesives, coatings, and other products with specific application requirements.


In the past several years, her work has extensively involved development of polyurethanes for medical applications. The materials for medical applications need to meet a rigorous set of standards. As an example these materials must be non-toxic and biocompatible. For long-term implantation the materials also need to be biostable, resisting in-vivo degradation. Furthermore, the materials need to meet the specified application function.

In the past 5 years, Expert developed 3 different polyurethanes for surgical applications: 1) 2-component structural bone cement adhesive, 2) load-bearing surface for joint implants, and 3) porous foams for as scaffolding platform for tissue in-growth.

These materials are in different stages of development, with some of these products already receiving the FDA and CE approvals.

Over the past 30 years, Expert has developed and invented various polyurethane products that include rigid and flexible foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, sealants, etc. Her experiences in wide variety of polyurethanes often results in unique approach to product development. As an example, Expert was first to combine polyurethane foams with moisture-cured isocyanate resins to produce novel curable tapes used in medical immobilization and other applications.

The basic components in the synthesis of polyurethanes are isocyanates and polyols, which form urethane linkage. Under appropriate processing conditions, isocyanate may also form other linkages, such as urea, allophanate, biuret, isocyanurate, carbodiimide, uretdione, amide, imide, oxazolidone, etc.

In applications requiring good heat and thermal stability, polyurethane linkages are often not suitable as they starts to dissociate (break) at 100-140° C. Therefore, for higher temperature applications other linkages may be preferred such as urea, oxazolidone, isocyanurate, imide, etc.

The formation of these bonds is controlled by the selection of appropriate catalysts, reaction temperature, and composition of the starting components, etc. Expert has completed several studies of the kinetics and catalysis of formation of heat resistant groups, including oxazolidone, isocyanurate, and imides. The study on model reaction systems was extended to development of various heat resistant isocyanate-based products, such as isocyanurate foams, polyoxazolidone composites and coatings, polyimide foams, etc.

Evaluation of new type of cycloaliphatic isocyanate and its performance in polyurethanes. Development of new types of biodurable polyurethane foams for tissue in-growth application, their evaluation, preparation of foams and implants for in vitro-testing, including the development of various protocols for cleaning, sterilization, etc. Development of formulations and packaging for new type of bone cement for syrgical applications and assistance in various issues regarding in vitro and in vivo testing and EPA approval procedures