1. Moni Kanchan Datta
Research Assistant Professor
819 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
P: 412-624-9729; 412-624-9751
mkd16@pitt.edu
Biodegradable Metals for Bone
Regeneration
Research and Development of electri-
city as Electric Vehicle Fuel
Research Interests:
Dr. Datta’s current research is focused on two broad areas of biodegradable
biomaterials, and energy harvesting and storage. He has a strong solid
background in Metallurgical Engineering (PhD), Materials Engineering
(MS), as well as Nanotechnology along with a thorough understanding of
Physical chemistry and various electrochemistry aspects of solid-state
materials. His group mainly conducts fundamental, transformative and
innovative biomaterials and energy related research in collaboration with Dr.
Kumta, Dr. Roy, Dr. Jampani and Dr. Velikokhatnyi directed at fostering
clean energy, regenerative therapies, national security and human welfare.
The main focus of Dr. Datta’s research in all of these areas is to develop (a)
rapid experimental synthesis and processing tools; quantitative analytical and
characterization tools; accelerated testing and rapid prototyping; techniques
to validate and advance materials theory and (b) computational tools for
predictive modeling, exploration, simulation and design.
Biodegradable Biomaterials Related Research:
In the area of biomaterials, Dr. Datta's group's goal is to create implantable
devices and regenerative therapies by merging advances in biology,
engineering, and materials sciences. Particularly, he aims to develop materials
that will not only be compatible with patients, but can also direct the cellular
responses of the patient in a desired manner. In this direction, his research is
directed in identifying a novel class of suitable load bearing, non-toxic
biocompatible and biodegradable metal alloys aided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations as a hard tissue
substitute for orthopedic and craniofacial applications. Processing of near-net shape biocompatible and biodegradable porous
3D scaffolds exhibiting controlled corrosion and mechanical properties mimicking normal bone without eliciting any toxicity
while regenerating new bone is under research and development by powder metallurgy (PM) and additive manufacturing
(AM) processing techniques. In addition, Dr. Datta's research has directed towards development and optimization of stable
organic and inorganic bioactive coatings on implants to decrease the alloys’ corrosion rate and hydrogen evolution as well
as increase the alloys’ surface bioactivity, thus increasing the clinical relevance of biodegradable alloys. Surface
functionalized micro- and meso-porous bio-composites is also under study for tunable delivery of biologics and drugs
from the regenerative bone scaffolds.
Energy Harvesting and Storage Related Research:
The ultimate vision of energy related research is the development of a coherent computational model and concomitant
advanced experimental tools enabling rapid screening, development and manufacturing of advanced energy related
materials with significant cost benefits. His group focuses on identification of ultra-low noble metal/non-noble metal
electrocatalysts for water electrolysis, fuel cell and air battery, and carbon capture through CO2 conversion to fuel. In the
field of electrical energy storage technologies based on rechargeable batteries (Li-ion, Na- ion, Mg- ion batteries),
supercapacitor and flow batteries, his research is directed at fulfilling the vision for meeting the EV (electric vehicle)
everywhere grand challenge and Renewable Energy Storage goal of DOE. In this direction, his research is focused on
rapid synthesis and advanced characterization of next-generation energy related materials in 1D nanotube, nanowire, 2D
nono-film, nano-sheet or 3D hierarchical structures consisting of nano-particles or nanocomposite.