The Branch of Medical and Industrial Materials Science awarded a Master’s degree to the graduate student Iman Alwan Arhim for her thesis titled:
“Improvement of Mechanical and Antimicrobial Properties of Denture Base By Adding Nanoparticles Materials"
The defence was held in the late Professor Dr Abdul-Muttalib Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Hall at the department building.Examination Committee consists of:

• Prof. Dr. Ali Abadi Al-Taif Department of Applied Sciences / Medical and Industrial Materials Science Branch – Chair
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Athraa Ali Mahmoud Al-Mustansiriya University / College of Dentistry – Member
• Lect. Dr. Mohammed Salman Kazem Department of Applied Sciences / Laser Science and Technology Branch – Member
• Lect. Dr. Manal Abdulwahid Aboud Department of Applied Sciences / Medical and Industrial Materials Science Branch – Member & Supervisor
• Dr. Halima Thajeel Halboos Ministry of Science and Technology / Materials Research Directorate – Member & Supervisor

In this study, the effect of incorporating nanoparticles (silver, titanium oxide, and zirconium oxide) on some mechanical properties—flexural strength, impact strength, surface hardness, compressive strength, and surface roughness—of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) used in denture fabrication, was investigated. Additionally, the effect of nanoparticle incorporation on antimicrobial properties was examined. The samples were divided into three groups based on the nanoparticle addition ratio: (silver: titanium oxide) and (silver: zirconium oxide). A fixed weight percentage (0.3%) of silver nanoparticles was added, while titanium oxide and zirconium oxide were added in varying proportions (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%). Moreover, a third group of samples was prepared, incorporating 0.3% silver and (0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%) of both titanium oxide and zirconium oxide to study the combined effect of nanoparticles on PMMA properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the structural properties of the nanoparticles. Additionally, surface morphology was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), while an atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to assess surface roughness. The results showed that incorporating silver and titanium oxide nanoparticles enhanced the flexural strength, with the highest value (76.62 MPa) observed at 0.3% Ag + 0.3% TiO2. Meanwhile, adding ZrO2 resulted in a slight improvement, reaching (71.83 MPa) at 0.5% ZrO2. The combination of nanoparticles yielded the highest flexural strength value (89.35 MPa) at 0.3% Ag + 0.15% (TiO2 - ZrO2). Surface hardness increased for all samples with nanoparticle incorporation, reaching peak values of (85.3) and (85.5) at 0.3% Ag + 0.3% TiO2 and 0.3% Ag + 0.5% ZrO2, respectively, compared to (81.2) for pure PMMA, adding silver and titanium oxide improved impact strength, achieving the highest value (7.54 kJ/m²) at 0.3% Ag + 0.3% TiO2, compared to (6.81 kJ/m²) for PMMA. A similar trend was observed when combined nanoparticles, with the highest impact strength (7.14 kJ/m²) at 0.3% Ag + 0.15% (TiO2 - ZrO2). However, ZrO2 addition reduced impact strength at all concentrations, with the lowest value (5.49 kJ/m²) recorded at 0.1% ZrO2. The results showed that compressive strength increased with nanoparticle incorporation, with the highest value (147.07 MPa) observed at 0.3% Ag + 0.5% ZrO2, followed by (132.3 MPa) at 0.3% Ag + 0.5% TiO2, compared to (98.01 MPa) for PMMA. However, Young's modulus decreased with increasing nanoparticle concentration, with the lowest value (415.18 MPa) recorded at 0.3% Ag + 0.25% (TiO2 - ZrO2), compared to (616.44 MPa) for PMMA. Surface roughness significantly improved with nanoparticle incorporation, with the best value (0.2917 µm) observed at 0.3% Ag + 0.3% TiO2, compared to (0.7556 µm) for PMMA, followed by (0.3453 µm) at 0.3% Ag + 0.3% ZrO2. The antimicrobial activity study revealed that adding 0.3% Ag + 0.25% (TiO2 - ZrO2) exhibited the highest microbial inhibition. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans was more significant than its effect against Escherichia coli at all tested concentrations. .

Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Abdul-Sattar Ibrahim Receives Recognition from the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Abdul-Sattar Ibrahim was honoured by Dr. Naeem Yasser Al-Aboudi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with a group of distinguished faculty members who published outstanding research in reputable journals, including Nature and Science Journals and TOP Journals in the Shanghai Ranking. During the meeting with the honoured researchers, in the presence of the Director General of the Research and Development Department, Professor Dr. Lubna Khamees Mahdi, the minister affirmed that the Ministry will continue to support researchers and innovators. He stated that the Ministry will provide all necessary support to strengthen its scientific teams and enhance Iraqi universities' presence in international forums, enabling them to elevate the name of Iraq and its institutions in global databases and rankings. The researchers, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the level of care and attention provided by the minister for the researchers' global publications and for creating a scientific environment that encourages innovation and contributes to the development and service of the community. It is worth noting that the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, directed the awarding of financial incentives to the faculty members to recognize their research publications.

The Applied Science Research Unit Holds a Lecture on "Semiconductors in Environmental (Sensors Technology)" As part of the cultural season of the Applied Science Research Unit, under the supervision of the Director of the Applied Research Unit, Professor Dr. Wafaa Khalid Khalaf, a scientific lecture was held in the late Professor Dr. Abdul-Muttalib Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Hall at the department building. The lecture was delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Amir Faisal Abdulameer, a faculty member in the Department of Physics at the College of Science, University of Baghdad (Assistant President of the University of Baghdad for Administrative Affairs). At the end of the lecture, the Head of the Department, Professor Dr. Raid Abdulwahab Ismail, presented a certificate of appreciation to Assistant Professor Dr. Amir Faisal Abdulameer as a symbol of gratitude for his valuable scientific insights shared with the attendees and researchers in the field of semiconductors and sensors.

The Applied Science Department Council members extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Professor Dr. Raid Abdulwahab Ismail on his official appointment as the Head of the Applied Science Department. During their congratulatory remarks, the council members stated: "This well-deserved trust is a testament to your competence, dedication, and commitment to advancing the academic and scientific mission of our esteemed university and beloved Iraq." Faculty members and staff of the department also joined in extending their congratulations, praying for his continued success and guidance in achieving further accomplishments that contribute to the advancement of science and the development of academic and research institutions.

The Information Technology Division Holds a Training Course on Social Media Marketing Strategies The Information Technology Division of the Administrative Deputy’s Office in the department organized a specialized training course on social media marketing strategies.This course targeted students and department staff, aiming to introduce them to effective methods of managing marketing and promotion through various social media platforms.The course was supervised and included lectures by Professor Dr. Odai Mohsen Naif, the Administrative Deputy Head of the department, along with other faculty members. Notably, the course was held in the department’s laboratory and classroom building and lasted for two days.