NIRT: Nanoengineered Responsive Polymer Surfaces for Micro/Nanofluidic Bioanalytical Systems

摘要：我们提出探索纳米工程刺激响应聚合物纳米层作为微/纳米流体生物分析系统表面改性的创新平台。表面接枝聚合物在响应外部刺激（如温度）时表现出膨胀和润湿性的巨大变化，将被合成和表征。将开发用于生成图案响应聚合物纳米层的微加工技术，以实现功能微/纳米流体生物分析装置。这种响应性聚合物表面改性技术的实用性和影响将通过其在微/纳米流体操纵和控制中的应用来证明。具体来说，我们将探索热响应聚合物纳米层的产生，分裂，合并，混合和运输的十升体积液滴。热响应聚合物也将用于微芯片色谱，其中dna低聚物的序列特异性分离将使用专门的表面活性剂来实现。拟议的NIRT将与研究生和本科教育相结合，并将积极参与匹兹堡地区的外展活动。

NIRT: Nanoengineered Responsive Polymer Surfaces for Micro/NanofluidicBioanalytical SystemsAbstract: We propose to explore nanoengineered stimulus-responsivepolymer nanolayers as an innovative platform for surface modification ofmicro/nanofluidics-based bioanalytical systems. Surface-grafted polymersthat exhibit large changes in swelling and wettability properties inresponse to external stimuli (e.g. temperature) will be synthesized andcharacterized. Microfabrication techniques for generation of patternedresponsive polymer nanolayers will be developed to enable functionalmicro/nanofluidic bioanalytical devices. The utility and impact of thisresponsive polymer-based surface modification technique will bedemonstrated by its application to micro/nanofluidic manipulation andcontrol. Specifically, we will explore thermally responsive polymernanolayers for generation, splitting, merging, mixing, and transport offemtoliter-volume droplets. Thermally responsive polymers will also beused for microchip chromatography, where sequence-specific separation ofDNA oligomers will be achieved using specialized surfactants. Theproposed NIRT will be integrated with graduate and undergraduateeducation, and will be actively involved in outreach events in thePittsburgh area.