Kumaresan Sakthiabirami
@chonnam.ac.kr
Research Fellow at Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry
Chonnam National University
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biomaterials, Implant surface modifications, Bioceramics, 3D printing, Bone tissue Engineering
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Subramanian Nithiananth, Jun Lee, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Duong Tung Pham, Jung Ho Kim, Jang-Yeon Hwang, and Jaekook Kim
Elsevier BV
Mee-Jin Jun, Jin-Ho Kang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Seyed Aliakbar Hosseini Toopghara, Ye-Seul Kim, Kwi-Dug Yun, and Sang-Won Park
MDPI AG
To prepare a photocurable ceramic suspension for use in commercialized additive manufacturing equipment, the effects of the rheological properties of zirconia particles added to a binder, and the presence or absence of a silane coupling agent on the particles was evaluated. To this end, three experimental groups (ZSs, ZMs, ZLs) and three control groups (ZS, ZM, ZL) were designed depending on the size of the underlying zirconia particles. The test-group zirconia suspensions were prepared through silanization, which was not applied to the control-group suspensions. Depending on the particle size, viscosity differences between the test and control groups were 16,842, 18,623, and 12,303 mPa·s, respectively. Compared to the other groups, the viscosity of the ZLs group suspension decreased by 70.98–88.04%. This confirmed that the viscosity of the suspensions was affected by the particle size and the presence of silane coating. The dispersion stability of the zirconia suspensions was evaluated over 20 days. A sedimentation test confirmed that the sedimentation rate of the ZLs group was slower than those of the other groups. This study aimed to optimize the suspension manufacturing method to effectively be utilized in further commercializing zirconia three-dimensional (3D) printing and could also help to develop various medical applications.
Pooja Jain, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Himanshu Kathuria, Gopu Sriram, and Nileshkumar Dubey
Elsevier
Jin-Ho Kang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Hyun-Ah Kim, Seyed Aliakbar Hosseini Toopghara, Mee-Jin Jun, Hyun-Pil Lim, Chan Park, Kwi-Dug Yun, and Sang-Won Park
MDPI AG
This study evaluated the effect of UV absorbers on the dimensional accuracy of zirconia specimens fabricated by additive manufacturing using a digital light process. Zirconia suspension for additive manufacturing was prepared by setting the volume fractions (0, 0.005, 0.05, and 0.1%) of various UV absorbers. The effect of UV absorber content was evaluated through curing thickness, geometric overgrowth model design, linear deviation, and microstructure evaluation before and after sintering. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal–Wallis H and post-tested by the Bonferroni correction method. There was no significant difference in the cure depth according to the presence or absence of the UV absorber, the difference in geometric overgrowth was from 2.1 to 12.5%, and the overgrowth significantly decreased as the amount of added UV absorber increased. This result may contribute to improved precision of 3D multilayer ceramic products.
Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Jun Lee, Seokhun Kim, Dimas Yunianto Putro, Seulgi Lee, Balaji Sambandam, Vinod Mathew, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Jang-Yeon Hwang, and Jaekook Kim
MDPI AG
Recently, a novel electrochemical regulation associated with a deposition/dissolution reaction on an electrode surface has been proven to show superiority in large-scale energy storage systems (ESSs). Hence, in the search for high-performance electrodes showcasing these novel regulations, we utilized a low-cost ZnO microsphere electrode to construct aqueous rechargeable batteries (ARBs) that supplied a harvestable and storable charge through electrochemical deposition/dissolution via a reversible manganese oxidation reaction (MOR)/manganese reduction reaction (MRR), respectively, induced by the inherent formation/dissolution of zinc basic sulfate in a mild aqueous electrolyte solution containing 2 M ZnSO4 and 0.2 M MnSO4.
Jae-Gon Jang, Jin-Ho Kang, Kwang-Bum Joe, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Kyoung-Jun Jang, Mee-Jin Jun, Gye-Jeong Oh, Chan Park, and Sang-Won Park
MDPI AG
In this study, we have analysed the effects of a silane coupling agent on the volume fraction of zirconia for digital light processing (DLP)-based additive manufacturing processes. Zirconia suspension was prepared by the incorporation of silane-modified zirconia particles (experimental group) or untreated zirconia particles (control group). Furthermore, the control and experimental group were subdivided into three groups based on the volume fraction (52, 54, and 56 vol%) of zirconia particles. The disk-shaped zirconia samples were 3D (three-dimensional) printed using the DLP technique and their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The addition of a silane coupling agent to the zirconia samples was found to have influence of about 6% on the hardness and biaxial flexural strength. Moreover, the decrease in minute air gaps inside the zirconia layers significantly increased the material density (visualized from the microstructure analysis). Thus, from this study, it was established that the silane-modified zirconia particles had a positive effect on the physical properties of the zirconia parts.
Jin-Ho Kang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Kyoung-Jun Jang, Jae-Gon Jang, Gye-Jeong Oh, Chan Park, John G. Fisher, and Sang-Won Park
Elsevier BV
Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Subramanian Nithiananth, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Jung Ho Kim, Ching-Yuan Su, and Jeng-Kuei Chang
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
This review summarizes the current status and advancements made in research on manganese-substituted sodium vanadium phosphate-based cathodes, with a focus on their structural evolution, composite formation, morphological tailoring, and fabrication protocols.
Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Jin-Ho Kang, Yunzhi Peter Yang, and Sang-Won Park
MDPI AG
The design of zirconia-based scaffolds using conventional techniques for bone-regeneration applications has been studied extensively. Similar to dental applications, the use of three-dimensional (3D) zirconia-based ceramics for bone tissue engineering (BTE) has recently attracted considerable attention because of their high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. However, techniques to fabricate zirconia-based scaffolds for bone regeneration are in a stage of infancy. Hence, the biological activities of zirconia-based ceramics for bone-regeneration applications have not been fully investigated, in contrast to the well-established calcium phosphate-based ceramics for bone-regeneration applications. This paper outlines recent research developments and challenges concerning numerous three-dimensional (3D) zirconia-based scaffolds and reviews the associated fundamental fabrication techniques, key 3D fabrication developments and practical encounters to identify the optimal 3D fabrication technique for obtaining 3D zirconia-based scaffolds suitable for real-world applications. This review mainly summarized the articles that focused on in vitro and in vivo studies along with the fundamental mechanical characterizations on the 3D zirconia-based scaffolds.
Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Jin-Ho Kang, Jae-Gon Jang, Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Hyun-Pil Lim, Kwi-Dug Yun, Chan Park, Bin-Na Lee, Yunzhi Peter Yang, and Sang-Won Park
Elsevier BV
For the formation of new bone in critical-sized bone defects, bioactive scaffolds with an interconnected porous network are necessary. Herein, we fabricated three-dimensional (3D) porous hybrid zirconia scaffolds to promote hybrid functionality, i.e., excellent mechanical properties and bioactive performance. Specifically, the 3D printed scaffolds were subjected to Zn-HA/glass composite coating on glass-infiltrated zirconia (ZC). In addition, to pertain the extracellular matrix of bone, biopolymer (alginate/gelatine) was embedded in a developed 3D construct (ZB and ZCB). A zirconia-printed scaffold (Z) group served as a control. The structural and mechanical properties of the constructed scaffolds were studied using essential characterization techniques. Furthermore, the biological performance of the designed scaffolds was tested by a sequence of in vitro cell tests, including the attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp cells (DPCs). The ZC and ZCB scaffolds exhibited 20% higher compression strength than the zirconia (Z) scaffolds. More importantly, the ZC constructs exhibited superior cell-adhesion, distribution, and osteogenic differentiation ability due to the synergistic effects of the composite coating. In addition, the biopolymer-embedded scaffolds (ZB, ZCB) showed an excellent biological and mechanical performance. Thus, our results suggest that the Zn-HA/glass composite-coated glass-infiltrated zirconia (ZC, ZCB) scaffolds are a dynamic approach to designing bioactive 3D scaffolds for the load-bearing bone regeneration applications.
Bobby Aditya Darmawan, John G. Fisher, Doan Thanh Trung, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, and Sang-Won Park
MDPI AG
Partially-stabilized zirconia is used in ceramic crowns due to its excellent mechanical properties and bio-inertness but does not match the natural color and translucency of tooth enamel. To reduce scattering of light and improve translucency, the grain size of zirconia ceramics should be less than the wavelength of visible light (0.4–0.7 μm), and porosity should be eliminated. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of two-step sintering of a commercial powder (Zpex Smile, Tosoh Corp., Tokyo, Japan) on the grain size and translucency of zirconia for use in ceramic crowns. Samples were sintered at a first step temperature (T1) of 1300, 1375 and 1400 °C for 5 min, followed by a decrease to the second step temperature (T2) and holding at T2 for 5–20 h. Samples were also conventionally sintered at 1450 °C for 2 h for comparison. Two-step sintered samples with an almost equal density, smaller grain size and narrower grain size distribution compared to conventionally sintered samples could be sintered. However, the translucency of two-step sintered samples had lower values compared to conventionally sintered samples. This is due to the slightly higher porosity in the two-step sintered samples. Density and translucency of both conventionally and two-step sintered samples could be increased further by using a ball milled powder.
Jin-Ho Kang, Janelle Kaneda, Jae-Gon Jang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Elaine Lui, Carolyn Kim, Aijun Wang, Sang-Won Park, and Yunzhi Peter Yang
MDPI AG
We evaluated the effect of electron beam (E-beam) sterilization (25 kGy, ISO 11137) on the degradation of β-tricalcium phosphate/polycaprolactone (β-TCP/PCL) composite filaments of various ratios (0:100, 20:80, 40:60, and 60:40 TCP:PCL by mass) in a rat subcutaneous model for 24 weeks. Volumes of the samples before implantation and after explantation were measured using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The filament volume changes before sacrifice were also measured using a live micro-CT. In our micro-CT analyses, there was no significant difference in volume change between the E-beam treated groups and non-E-beam treated groups of the same β-TCP to PCL ratios, except for the 0% β-TCP group. However, the average volume reduction differences between the E-beam and non-E-beam groups in the same-ratio samples were 0.76% (0% TCP), 3.30% (20% TCP), 4.65% (40% TCP), and 3.67% (60% TCP). The E-beam samples generally had more volume reduction in all experimental groups. Therefore, E-beam treatment may accelerate degradation. In our live micro-CT analyses, most volume reduction arose in the first four weeks after implantation and slowed between 4 and 20 weeks in all groups. E-beam groups showed greater volume reduction at every time point, which is consistent with the results by micro-CT analysis. Histology results suggest the biocompatibility of TCP/PCL composite filaments.
Jin-Ho Kang, Kyoung-Jun Jang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Gye-Jeong Oh, Jae-Gon Jang, Chan Park, Hyun-Pil Lim, Kwi-Dug Yun, and Sang-Won Park
Elsevier BV
Abstract The optical and physical properties of 45S5 bioactive glass suspensions for bone tissue engineering applications were studied by (1) varying the volume fraction of 45S5 in the suspension, and (2) assessing the effects of sintering on the mechanical and morphological features of the glass. The 45S5 specimens were manufactured using stereolithography. Five types of binders with different ratios of photocurable and acrylate resins were fabricated. 45S5 bioactive glass suspensions were prepared by adding 45S5 glass powder to the binder with the highest reactivity and cure depth. The prepared suspensions were divided into five groups with 45S5 volume fractions varying in the range of 32–40 vol% (denoted as BG32–BG40, respectively). The cure depth, measured after passing a laser with a wavelength range of 390–420 nm through the suspension once, was found to decrease with increasing volume fraction of 45S5. Moreover, as the 45S5 volume fraction increased, the strength of the sample reached a maximum of 37.9 ± 5 MPa at 40 vol% (BG40). More importantly, the viscosity of the suspensions prepared with various glass fractions was found to gradually increase with increasing volume fraction. The Fourier-transform infrared spectra of the non-sintered and sintered green bodies showed three main peaks (at 1040, 920, and 445 cm−1) corresponding to the Si–O–Si bond vibrations of 45S5. Clear signals corresponding to C–H stretching and C=C bonds were observed before sintering; however, these peaks disappeared after sintering. Optical analysis showed no residual effects of the binder after sintering. These results demonstrate that the suspension with 40 vol% 45S5 (BG40) can be successfully employed in the fabrication of scaffolds for bone regeneration and tissue engineering applications in the near future.
Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Van Thi Vu, Ji Won Kim, Jin Ho Kang, Kyoung Jun Jang, Gye Jeong Oh, John G. Fisher, Kwi Dug Yun, Hyun Pil Lim, and Sang Won Park
Elsevier BV
Abstract In the current study, the biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics of glass-infiltrated zirconia were improved via a simple composite coating made of Zn-doped hydroxyapatite (ZnHA) ceramic and a silicate-based glass. During thermal treatment, significant reaction and crystallisation occurred and some of the ZnHA was transformed into β-tricalcium phosphate, calcium oxide phosphate, and calcium zirconium oxide. Moreover, the glass crystallised into a sodium calcium aluminium silicate phase. The mechanical properties were investigated and the results indicated that the amount of glass in the composite and in the glass-infiltrated zirconia layer strongly affected the flexural strength and adhesion of the coating layer. The composite coatings on the glass-infiltrated zirconia displayed better mechanical properties than the pure ZnHA coating due to the newly formed crystalline phases. Murine pre-osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) cells adhered to and spread well on the composite coating surfaces. The cell viability results revealed that the glass/ZnHA composites demonstrated a superior bioactivity of osteoblast cells compared to uncoated zirconia. These results show that the glass/ZnHA composites on the glass-infiltrated zirconia structure are suitable for use as hard tissue implant coatings due to their morphological and mechanical stability and enhanced bioactivity to pre-osteoblastic cells.