Calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics are widely investigated for use in the repair and reconstruction of diseased, damaged, missing or worn-out parts of the human musculo-skeletal system, such as bones or teeth. Most commonly studied CaPs include: hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) – an intimate mixture of HA and β-TCP. CaPs are biocompatible, bioactive, bioresorbable, and also promote osteoconduction and osteointegration. With emerging new perspectives in the field of bioactive materials and a shift in emphasis from the replacement to regeneration of bone tissues, the osteoinductive properties of CaPs are also subjects of active research.

This research was focused on evaluating the microstructure and composition of various archaeological samples with the aim of understanding ancient technologies or evaluating proposed architectural chronology. The study of ancient metallurgical processes is one of the key components of modern archaeometry. In order to understand the technology of producing metal objects, both the raw materials and the finished artifacts are subjected to materials analysis. In one of the research projects, slag samples were examined to evaluate the smelting or metal-working techniques in 6th century B.C. in Murlo, Italy. Another project was aimed at ascertaining if the remarkable corrosion resistance displayed by 2000 years old Chinese Bronze Mirrors was a technological marvel or was a result of prolonged burial. In another project the analysis of composition of color pigments in frescoes from an 11th century Byzantine church suggested that the frescoes in four different parts of the building were painted at different times using different pigments.