To encourage and develop research activities in the fields of Polymer Science and Technology.

(a) To establish a Polymer Research Group of international repute through academic links with institutions abroad and joint research publications.

(b) To support the continuing development of the polymer industry in Thailand.

(a) The development of new biodegradable polymers for use as absorbable surgical sutures.

(b) The synthesis and properties of some synthetic hydrogels for use as temporary skin substitutes in wound dressings.

(c) The design of new polymers for use as controlled release drug delivery systems.

(d) The processing and fabrication of chitosan for potential use in biomedical applications.

(e) The design of polymers for use as biodegradable bone fixation devices.(เป็นงานที่อยู่ในระยะกำลังเริ่มดำเนินการ)

(1) Thermal Analysis System

(a) Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

(b) Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

(2) Automatic Viscosity Measuring System

(3) Membrane and Vapour Pressure Osmometers

(4) Controlled Atmosphere Glove Box

(5) Universal Mechanical Testing Machine

(6) Impact Tester

(7) Bench-top Injection Moulding Machine

(8) Vacuum Former

(9) Fluidized Bed for Powder Coating

(10) Vacuum Ovens

(11) Incubator

(12) Small-Scale Fibre Extrusion Equipment

(13) Water Vapour Transmission Rate Apparatus

Following the official appointment in February 2537 by the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of our "BIOMEDICAL POLYMERS RESEARCH UNIT" here in the Faculty of Science, the Polymer Research Laboratory has continued with its main interest in the field of "BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTERS FOR USE IN SURGICAL APPLICATIONS". The main objective here is to produce a new monofilament absorbable surgical suture with superior handling properties. So far, the work has progressed to the stage where several new speciality polymers have been synthesized and their structures characterised. Research is now continuing to try to control and optimize those polymer properties (molecular weight, crystallinity, microstructure, thermal transitions, etc.) upon which the polymer's usefulness as a suture depends. Running parallel to this synthesis work, processing studies are also being carried out using a small-scale melt spinning apparatus. Pre-clinical testing of the prototype sutures will commence soon.

In addition to this, our other main research project is concerned with "SYNTHETIC HYDROGELS FOR USE AS TEMPORARY SKIN SUBSTITUTES IN WOUND DRESSINGS". Again, the work is about to enter the pre-clinical testing stage in collaboration with both MTEC (biocompatibility testing) and the Burns Unit of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. This line of research is in response to the urgent need in hospitals for a new type of "temporary skin substitute" for burn victims.

A third project, which is still at the initial stage, aims to develop new polymer systems which can be used as drug matrices or excipients. In this application, the polymer controls the rate of drug release from a pharmaceutical preparation. This is a joint project with the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology in the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Fourthly, another project just starting is concerned with polymers for use as biodegradable bone fixation devices. The emphasis at the beginning is on producing small diameter (1-2 mm) pins for use in joining bone fractures. Because they are biodegradable, there is no need for follow-up surgery to remove them once the fracture has healed.

Finally, in a joint project with MTEC, the processing and fabrication of chitosan (e.g., gel film formation, wet spinning of fibres) is being investigated. The aim here is to explore the potential biomedical applications of chitosan in support of its commercial production here in Thailand.

As a result of the dissemination of our research work, as described in the following sections, our Polymer Research Laboratory is gradually enhancing its reputation both within Thailand and abroad.

7.1 ผลงานวิจัยที่ตีพิมพ์ในวารสารทางวิชาการระดับนานาชาติ

7.2 ผลงานเสนอในที่ประชุมระดับนานาชาติ

The Polymer Processing Society (PPS) held its Asia / Australia Regional Meeting 1999 at the Marriott Royal Garden Riverside Hotel in Bangkok from 1-3 December 1999. Organised and co-sponsored by MTEC, the Meeting attracted well over 100 participants from all over the world, including many prominent experts in the field of polymer processing. Represented on this occasion by Dr. Robert Molloy and Dr. Jintana Siripitayananon, the Unit contributed one oral and one poster presentation in the Extrusion and Extrusion-Based Processes section entitled:

(Oral) Control of Polymer Morphology during the Small-Scale Melt Spinning of Monofilament Fibres

(Poster) Optimization of the Drawing and Annealing Conditions for Improving the

7.3 ผลงานที่นำเสนอในการประชุมวิชาการภายในประเทศ

Last year's 25th Annual Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand was held in the pleasant surroundings of the Amarin Lagoon Hotel, Pitsanuloke, from 20-22 October 2542. The Unit presented 4 posters entitled:

7.4 ผลงานเผยแพร่โดยศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ (MTEC) และสำนักงานพัฒนาวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยีแห่งชาติ (NSTDA)

1. Biomedical Materials Newsletter

2. NSTDA (Northern Region) News Conference

3. NSTDA Annual Meeting 2541

7.5 Research Prize

It gave a feeling of pride and satisfaction to the Polymer Research Group as a whole that, out of approximately 180 candidates, this year's Chiang Mai University prize for the Best Graduate Research Thesis in Science and Technology for the academic year 2541 was awarded to one of our research students: