Innovative Research Award
Melinda Szalóki
Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Biomaterials and Prosthetic Dentisty
Melinda Szalóki is a researcher associated with the Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Biomaterials and Prosthetic Dentisty in Hungary, whose documented research activity is situated within dentistry and biomaterials-related investigations. Her publication record includes studies addressing dental resin systems, photopolymerizable materials, nanocomposites, gold nanostructures, surface properties, additive manufacturing, and spectroscopic characterization. These topics connect materials science and nanotechnology with problems relevant to contemporary dental materials research. Her indexed research profile reports 39 documents, 321 citations, and an h-index of 11, providing bibliometric context for consideration for the Innovative Research Award at the International Popular Scientist Awards.
Abstract
The research profile of Melinda Szalóki reflects a multidisciplinary approach to dental biomaterials, combining dentistry with polymer science, nanotechnology, surface characterization, additive manufacturing, and optical or spectroscopic methods. Her documented publications include investigations of resin-based composites and dental adhesives, three-dimensional printable acrylate-based resins, gold-containing nanocomposite systems, and plasmonic nanostructures for photopolymerizable dental materials. These studies demonstrate an emphasis on understanding material structure, surface behavior, processing, and functional performance in dental applications. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Keywords
Dentistry; dental biomaterials; resin-based composites; UDMA-TEGDMA; gold nanorods; nanocomposites; dental adhesives; photopolymerization; 3D printing; acrylate-based resin; plasmonic nanoparticles; surface free energy; Raman spectroscopy; nanotechnology; prosthetic dentistry.
Introduction
Dental biomaterials research increasingly incorporates concepts and techniques from polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, surface science, additive manufacturing, and advanced characterization. Resin-based materials are particularly important because their chemical composition and processing conditions can influence properties such as polymerization behavior, surface energy, wettability, mechanical response, and interaction with dental adhesives. Research into these characteristics contributes to the scientific understanding required for the development and evaluation of materials used in restorative and prosthetic dentistry.[1] [2] [3]
Research Profile
The available bibliometric information identifies Szalóki with the subject area of Dentistry and records 39 indexed documents, 321 citations, and an h-index of 11. These indicators provide a quantitative overview of publication and citation activity but do not, by themselves, establish the quality or significance of individual studies. A more substantive assessment is obtained by considering the subjects, methodologies, journals, and collaborative research represented in the publication record.
- Dental biomaterials and resin-based composite systems.
- Nanocomposites incorporating gold nanorods and other nanostructured materials.
- Photopolymerizable and additive-manufacturing-compatible dental resins.
Research Contributions
One area of contribution concerns the preparation of free-standing nanocomposite films based on UDMA-TEGDMA and gold nanorods. The 2025 study describes the use of polyvinyl alcohol sacrificial layers to prepare few-micron-thick free-standing films, representing an experimental materials-processing approach relevant to the investigation of thin dental polymer systems. [1][2]
Publications
Selected publications associated with Melinda Szalóki demonstrate a consistent research interest in advanced dental materials and nanostructured resin systems. The following publications are presented as representative works from the supplied record:
- Tarpataki, N., Keczánné-Üveges, A., Szalóki, M., & Bonyár, A. (2025). Preparation of Few-Micron-Thick Free-Standing Au-Nanorod/UDMA-TEGDMA Nanocomposite Films by Using PVA Sacrificial Layers. Polymers.
- Bonyár, A., Borók, A., Szalóki, M., Veres, M., & Rigó, I. (2023). Thermal Treatments on a UDMA-TEGDMA Nanocomposite Doped With Gold Nanorods Investigated by In-situ Raman-Spectroscopy. IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology.
- Szalóki, M., Szabó, Z., Martos, R., Csík, A., Szőllősi, G. J., & Hegedűs, C. (2023). The Surface Free Energy of Resin-Based Composite in Context of Wetting Ability of Dental Adhesives. Applied Sciences.
- Szalóki, M., Kabli, A. A., & Hegedűs, C. (2023). Preparation and characterization of 3D printable flexible acrylate-based resin. Fogorvosi Szemle.
Research Impact
The reported citation count of 321 and h-index of 11 indicate that the research record has received measurable scholarly attention within the indexed literature. These indicators should be interpreted alongside publication scope and disciplinary context rather than as standalone measures of research quality. The documented publications span multiple journals and involve collaborations among researchers working in dentistry, materials science, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, and related areas.[1] [2] [4] [5]
Award Suitability
The Innovative Research Award recognizes research activity characterized by the development, investigation, or application of innovative approaches. Based on the supplied publication record, Szalóki’s research demonstrates several characteristics relevant to this category, including the investigation of nanostructured dental materials, advanced polymer systems, additive-manufacturing-compatible resins, and analytical techniques for material characterization.
- Interdisciplinary research: The publications connect dentistry with polymer science, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, surface science, and materials engineering.
- Materials innovation: The research includes gold nanorod-doped polymer systems, plasmonic nanoparticles, and flexible acrylate-based resins.
Conclusion
Melinda Szalóki’s documented research profile is centered on dentistry and advanced dental biomaterials, with particular emphasis on polymeric resin systems, nanocomposites, gold nanostructures, photopolymerization, surface properties, additive manufacturing, and spectroscopic characterization. Her selected publications illustrate an interdisciplinary research approach that addresses both fundamental material properties and emerging technologies relevant to dental applications. The combination of a sustained publication record, measurable citation activity, and research involving innovative material systems provides a substantive basis for consideration in the Innovative Research Award category of the International Popular Scientist Awards.
External Links
References
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- Tarpataki, N., Keczánné-Üveges, A., Szalóki, M., & Bonyár, A. (2025). Preparation of Few-Micron-Thick Free-Standing Au-Nanorod/UDMA-TEGDMA Nanocomposite Films by Using PVA Sacrificial Layers. Polymers.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17101391
- Bonyár, A., Borók, A., Szalóki, M., Veres, M., & Rigó, I. (2023). Thermal Treatments on a UDMA-TEGDMA Nanocomposite Doped With Gold Nanorods Investigated by In-situ Raman-Spectroscopy. IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TNANO.2023.3314922
- Szalóki, M., Szabó, Z., Martos, R., Csík, A., Szőllősi, G. J., & Hegedűs, C. (2023). The Surface Free Energy of Resin-Based Composite in Context of Wetting Ability of Dental Adhesives. Applied Sciences.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app132112061
- Szalóki, M., Kabli, A. A., & Hegedűs, C. (2023). Preparation and characterization of 3D printable flexible acrylate-based resin. Fogorvosi Szemle. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33891/FSZ.116.3.104-109
- Szalóki, M., Csarnovics, I., Bonyár, A., Ungor, D., Csapó, E., Sápi, A., & Hegedűs, C. (2023). Plasmonic Effect of Gold-Patchy Silica Nanoparticles on Green Light-Photopolymerizable Dental Resin. Nanomaterials.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13182554
- Biró, T. S., Kroó, N., Csernai, L. P., Veres, M., Aladi, M., Papp, I., Kedves, M. Á., Kámán, J., Szokol, Á. N., Holomb, R., et al. (2023). With Nanoplasmonics towards Fusion. Universe.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9050233