Biomaterial researcher receives international research prize

Prof. Dr. Klaus D. Jandt from the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena was awarded an international prize today (22.06.2022) in the USA for his research into biomaterials. The Chair of Materials Science receives the "IADR Distinguished Scientist Award-Wilmer Souder Award" from the "International Association for Dental Research (IADR)". The International Association for Dental Research awards this prize once a year to outstanding scientists who have made outstanding contributions to biomaterials research. The IADR has around 10,000 members worldwide.

The prize primarily recognizes Prof. Jandt's work in the field of oral biomaterials. The Jena materials expert has developed and researched a blue LED lamp for light curing (photopolymerization) of dental materials. Today, blue light-curing LED lamps are standard equipment in dental offices worldwide. In addition, Prof. Jandt investigates how the softening of the mineralized tissue in tooth enamel, e.g. B. can be counteracted by acids such as those contained in many soft drinks. With the sensitive material science method of nanoindentation, Jandt succeeded in detecting and investigating the early stages of this enamel demineralization and in developing new protective strategies against enamel softening. "I am particularly pleased that this international prize will be awarded at the 100th anniversary general assembly of the IADR," says Prof. Jandt.

The fact that Jandt's research is also highly valued by other parties is shown by the decision of the German Research Foundation (DFG) to fund an interdisciplinary DFG graduate school in the field of biomaterials at the University of Jena that he initiated.