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

NIRT：用于微/纳米流体生物分析系统的纳米工程响应性聚合物表面摘要：我们建议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修饰的创新平台。表面接枝聚合物的溶胀性和润湿性随外界刺激(如温度)而发生较大变化，将被合成和表征。用于产生图案化响应性聚合物纳米层的微制造技术将被开发，以实现功能微/纳米流体生物分析设备。这种响应性的基于聚合物的表面改性技术的用途和影响将通过其在微/纳米流体操纵和控制中的应用来展示。具体地说，我们将探索用于产生、分裂、合并、混合和传输更大体积液滴的热响应性聚合物纳米层。热响应性聚合物还将用于微芯片层析，其中DNA低聚体的特定序列分离将使用专门的表面活性剂实现。拟议的NIRT将与研究生和本科生教育相结合，并将积极参与匹兹堡地区的外联活动。

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.