While patients are being prepared for surgery, medical staff are required to list any potential risks, which may sound overwhelming and frightening.

Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk, a professor of chemistry at Missouri State, is developing a set of compounds that could be used to properly set internal devices and prevent infections at those sites.

Silver is one key to a current research project Gerasimchuk is conducting 30 years after receiving his first doctorate degree in Kiev, Ukraine.

He is developing an infection resistant coating mixture which is water insoluble, light insensitive and thermally stable to withstand the rigors of medical and dental procedures.

Gerasimchuk envisions a day when the new coating mixture will be used with pacemakers, joint replacements and in dental implants to create a better future for patients.