Biocatalytic Nanolithography

这笔赠款提供资金，用于推进高通量制造方法，通过催化冲压，使用固定化酶在纳米尺度上创建表面图案，称为生物催化纳米光刻。拟议的工作有三个基本组成部分。第一个组成部分致力于蛋白质化学的发展，这是实现制造过程所需的。对于这一组分，酶和底物的密度都将改变，以确定近表面酶转化的最佳条件。此外，还将研究几组酶的表面活性，以扩大可用于模式转移的酶组。第二个组成部分侧重于开发主印章，对印章条件进行参数研究，并使用具有适当计量要求的仪器，以实现以纳米级精度自动操纵邮票。第三部分侧重于为研究生和本科生提供一体化的教育和研究体验，利用目前在生物启发材料和材料系统方面由NSF资助的IGERT计划。如果成功，将产生一种新的纳米级制造方法，利用自然界的工具(酶)在表面催化反应，并使用自动化过程所需的工程工具。在纳米或微米规模的平版印刷制造工艺中开发印章是代价高昂的步骤之一。通过最初使用促进可逆固定化化学的分子对母版印章进行功能化，可以在母版上重新涂上新的催化剂，从而减少高通量制造中的工程时间和成本。这种新的催化剂可以简单地取代不活跃的(磨损的)酶，或者可以替代一种催化不同化学物质的替代酶。该工艺的优点包括1)分子从印章到图案化表面的物理转移，从而实现高分辨率，2)酶的固有选择性，促进正交反应和通过多道冲压程序产生复杂图案的能力，以及3)避免使用昂贵、有毒和易燃的溶剂、重金属和其他试剂的绿色化学。在这一不断发展的研究领域接受培训的学生将有助于使用自然工具进行纳米级的制造。

This grant provides funding to advance high-throughput manufacturing methods for creating surface patterns at the nanoscale with immobilized enzymes through catalytic stamping, designated as biocatalytic nanolithography. There are three essential components to the proposed work. The first component is devoted to the development of the protein chemistry required to enable the manufacturing processes. For this component the density of both enzyme and substrate will be varied to determine the optimum conditions for enzymatic transformation near surfaces. Additionally, the surface activity of several groups of enzymes will be studied to expand the group of enzymes available for pattern transfer. The second component focuses on the development of master stamps, a parametric study of stamping conditions, and the use of instrumentation with appropriate metrology required to automate manipulation of the stamps with nanometer precision. The third component is focused on providing an integrative educational and research experience for both graduate and undergraduate students, leveraging the currently funded NSF IGERT program in biologically inspired materials and material systems. If successful, a new method of manufacturing at the nanoscale will result, utilizing nature's tools (enzymes) for catalyzing reactions on a surface and employing engineering tools required to automate the process. The development of a stamp in lithographic manufacturing processes at the nano- or micro-scale constitutes one of the costly steps. By initially functionalizing the master stamp with molecules that facilitate reversible immobilization chemistry, the masters can be re-inked with new catalyst, reducing engineering time and cost in high-throughput manufacturing. This new catalyst might simply replace inactive (worn-out) enzyme, or an alternative enzyme that catalyzes different chemistry can be substituted. Advantages of the process include 1) lack of physical transfer of molecules from the stamp to the patterned surface, enabling high resolution, 2) inherent selectivity of enzymes that facilitate orthogonal reactivity and the ability to create complex patterns through multiple stamping procedures, and 3) a green chemistry that avoids the use of expensive, toxic, and flammable solvents, heavy metals and other reagents. Students trained in this evolving field of research will contribute to the use of Nature's tools for manufacturing at the nanoscale.