Molecular Design Rules for Thermally Responsive Coatings

Leckband 0349915水溶性聚合物是用于防止和控制水介质中生物污染和生物相容性的最广泛使用的涂层之一。然而，一类独特的此类材料，表现出热驱动相变，提供了前所未有的能力，操纵界面性能的需求与温度开关。本研究的重点是基于最广泛使用的温度敏感聚合物之一，聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺）（PNIPAM）的“智能”生物材料涂层的设计。本研究的具体目标是：（1）通过直接分子力测量，光散射和光谱学表征PNIPAM膜的性能和相行为，以及（2）定义具有特定性能的热响应涂层的分子水平设计规则。这项工作的技术意义在于这种独特的方法来定义生物材料涂层的工程设计规则。PNIPAM的潜在用途范围从药物递送涂层到色谱支持物。因此，这些研究将在生物技术的一些领域产生广泛的影响。此外，PNIPAM是表现出类似相行为的较大类别的水溶性聚合物之一。最后，这项研究将支持来自科学和工程学代表性不足群体的学生的培训。

Leckband 0349915Water-soluble polymers are among the most widely used coatings for preventing and controlling biofouling and biocompatibility in aqueous media. However, a unique class of such materials, which exhibit thermally driven phase transitions, offers the unprecedented ability to manipulate interfacial properties on demand with a temperature switch. This research focuses on the design of "smart" biomaterial coatings based on one of the most widely used temperature sensitive polymers, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The specific objectives of this research are: (1) characterize the properties and phase behavior of PNIPAM films by employing direct molecular force measurements, light scattering, and spectroscopy, and (2) to define molecular level design rules for thermally responsive coatings with defined properties. The technical significance of this work lies in this unique approach to defining engineering design rules for biomaterial coatings. The potential uses of PNIPAM range from drug delivery coatings to chromatographic supports. These studies will therefore have broad impact in a number of areas of biotechnology. Furthermore, PNIPAM is one of a larger class of water-soluble polymers that exhibit similar phase behavior. Finally, this research will support the training of students from underrepresented groups in science and engineering.