Federal Grant Award Summary

Michigan State University received $298,613 in Project Grant funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) for a two-year research initiative spanning March 1, 2026, through February 29, 2028. The research focuses on reducing moisture sensitivity in dental adhesives through the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), a bioderived nanomaterial approach motivated by prior success in engineering applications such as pressure-sensitive adhesives and coatings. The project systematically investigates fundamental interactions between CNCs and water within polymerized adhesive matrices to determine whether bound water can delay or eliminate water-mediated degradation mechanisms that contribute to secondary caries—a significant clinical problem.

The research deliverables will advance dental materials science by establishing uniform distribution methods for CNCs in self-etch adhesives and characterizing how CNC incorporation impacts moisture sensitivity, polymer network properties, and adhesive performance when exposed to moisture. This investigation addresses a documented research gap, as moisture sensitivity represents a major contributor to adhesive failure and secondary caries. The principal investigator's expertise in photopolymerized polymer networks employed as dental materials, combined with prior research on cellulose nanomaterial modifications in food packaging and adhesive applications, positions the research team to generate foundational knowledge that could improve the long-term stability and clinical effectiveness of dental adhesive systems.