Paper Title
Design and Fabrication of Hydroxyapatite Incorporated Polymer (Nanocomposite) Membranes

Abstract
This research has been conducted to develop and characterize bio mineral incorporated polymeric membranes. These type of membranes can be used for covering the bone scaffolds to enhance biomimetic properties as well as to improve mechanical properties, morphology and composition. The composition of this novel nanocomposite is a copolymer Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (TOPAS) and bone mineral hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Pretreatment of nanoparticles with a coupling agent is carried out to increase the interaction of nanoparticles with polymer chains. The effect of various weight ratios of bio mineral hydroxyapatite has been studied to see their influence on morphology, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. These nanocomposites were characterized by using FTIR, SEM, EDX, Tensile testing, and biocompatibility tests. It was found that the fabricated nanocomposites are analogous to the natural bone from structural, compositional, and mechanical point of view. Keywords� Key Words: TOPAS, Biocompatibility.