NER: Controlling Transport of Nanosized Objects by Substrate-Grafted Polymeric Engines

这项工作的研究目标是开发制备多功能表面接枝聚合物组件的方法，这些组件可以作为能够引导纳米尺寸物体运动的发动机。 办法是：1）生成具有逐渐变化的物理化学性质的表面接枝的大分子组装体（接枝密度，分子量）和表面接枝的“智能”聚合物，其响应于温度变化而经历急剧和可逆的转变; 2）开发用于监测梯度上的传输的表征工具;以及3）使用表面束缚的梯度组件和温敏聚合物演示纳米颗粒的运动。聚合物表面纳米级物体的直接运输预计将对基础科学，技术和生命科学产生深远的影响。 例如，揭示这种“智能”聚合物表面作为能够控制纳米颗粒运动的分子引擎的条件可以用于设计材料组装的新方法或提供对表面上功能吸附物的分配的洞察。 此外，纳米粒子运动的基本原理可用于理解蛋白质吸附和蛋白质分离从多组分蛋白质混合物在人造表面上。 这项工作产生的社会效益包括（但不限于）更好地设计医疗药物或检测生物战剂的能力。

The research objective of this work is to develop methods of preparing multifunctional surface-grafted polymer assemblies that can operate as engines capable of directing motion of nanosized objects. The approach is to: 1) generate surface-grafted macromolecular assemblies with gradual variation of physico-chemical properties (grafting density, molecular weight) and surface-grafted "smart" polymers that undergo sharp and reversible transitions in response to temperature changes; 2) develop characterization tools for monitoring the transport on gradients; and 3) demonstrate motion of nanoparticles using the surface-tethered gradient assemblies and thermoresponsive polymers.Understanding how "smart" polymer surfaces direct transportation of nanosized objects is expected to have a profound impact on basic science, technology, and life sciences. For example, uncovering the conditions under which such "smart" polymer surfaces act as molecular engines capable of controlling the motion of nanoparticles can be utilized in designing novel methods of material assembly or providing insight into partitioning of functional adsorbates on surfaces. In addition, the basic principles of nanoparticle motion can be used to understand protein adsorption and protein separation from multicomponent protein mixtures on artificial surfaces. The societal benefits resulting from this work include (but are not limited to) better design of medical drugs or capability of detecting bio-warfare agents.