1. To develop facilities for the implementation of R & D activities in advanced material research related to minerals.
2. To undertake R & D activities related to advanced materials using local minerals.
3. To cooperate and collaborate with other local research institutions in carrying out advanced material research.
4. To implement developmental project related to advanced materials as outlined in the mission and direction of the Mineral Research Centre.

R & D ACTIVITIES

Three (3) research projects are being carried out using local minerals. They are:

1. Synthesis of calcium silicate using local limestone and silica sand.
2. Production of hydroxyapatite from synthesized calcium silicate.
3. Synthesis of hydroxyapatite using local limestone.

The objectives of the research projects are:

• To produce synthetic minerals using local limestone and silica sand.
• To examine the possibility of using synthetic minerals as a bioactive material.
• To produce hydroxyapatite using local limestone.

1) Synthesis Of Calcium Silicate Using Local Limestone And Silica Sand

• Raw Materials - Local limestone and silica sand.
• Methodology - Calcium silicate was produced by solid state reaction. The mixture of local limestone and silica was synthesised in high temperature furnace at 1450oC.
• Product - Calcium silicate in a form of synthetic wollastonite.

Synthesis of Calcium.

2) Production Of Hydroxyapatite From Synthesised Calcium Silicate.

• Raw Materials - Calcium silicate in a form of synthetic wollastonite.
• Methodology - The synthesised calcium silicate was soaked in simulated body fluid solution(SBF)  at 36.5oC ( human body temperature ) for various periods.
• Product - Hydroxyapatite.

3) Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Using Local Limestone.

• Raw Materials - Limestone.
• Methodology - Hydoxyapatite was produced by wet precipitation method. It was synthesised using calcined limestone (CaO) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4 ) at 90oC. The synthesised product was sintered in high temperature furnace at 1000oC.
• Product - Synthesised product ; Hydroxyapatite and Sintered product ; Hydroxyapatite.

Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Using Local.

OUR FACILITIES