NIRT: Robust Manufacturing Protocol for Particulate-like Nanoporous Micro-devices (NMDs) for Biomedical and Biochemical Applications (Manufacturing Processes at the Nanoscale)

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This project proposes to develop a robust and versatile manufacturing protocol based on the selective integration of distinct micro- and nano-scale fabrication modules. These modules include polymer micro-imprinting and nano-imprinting (the 'top down' approach), and surface self-assembly of nanoporous silica and biomolecular attachment (the 'bottom up' approach) for the mass-production of polymer or polymer/silica nanoporous micro-devices (NMDs) that have particulate-like structures with well-defined non-spherical 3D geometry, nano-scale diffusion pore/channels, and molecular targeting function. In comparison with conventional spherical micro- and nano-particles, these particulate-like NMDs will provide larger and multi-face surface area for increased functionality, well-defined particle shape for better control of flow dynamics, and highly specific targeting and release capability. Fundamental studies on critical issues such as the science of processing biodegradable and biocompatible polymers at micro- and nano-scale; modeling of polymer micro-/nano-imprinting; and nanofluidics of controlled drug release through nanopores/channels will also be addressed.The research will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team that includes five researchers from biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering departments with expertise on micro-/nano-fabrication, nano-scale machining and measurements, interfacial phenomena and molecular self-assembly, biomolecules and surfactants, and multi-phase fluidization. Although the research will focus on the fabrication of drug delivery devices, the same methodology can be easily applied to a variety of BioMEMS (biosensors, bioreactors, tissue scaffolds) or other MEMs/NEMS devices.