CAREER: Fundamental Investigation and Thermal-Electrical Control of Ion, Fluid, and Biomolecular Transport through Nanochannels

奖项摘要：职业：纳米流体学是研究离子、流体和分子在高度受限的纳米环境中的行为的学科，在单分子传感和操纵方面显示出巨大的潜力，这对高通量药物筛选可能是非常宝贵的。 然而，纳米流体装置的设计和应用需要完全理解和控制通过纳米通道的离子、流体和分子运输的策略，其中由于纳米限制而发生新的现象。 目前，我们对纳米流体的了解还远未完成，因为纳米流体仍处于起步阶段。 拟议的研究计划的智力价值是nanofluidics与使用分子动力学模拟和实验测量的基础研究的进步，以及热和电气控制策略的发展，以操纵离子，流体和分子通过nanochannels运输。 该研究不仅将解决纳米通道中离子分布和气泡形成等基本问题，还将开发用于单分子捕获和研究的微型设备。更广泛的影响自然包括在档案期刊上传播科学相关发现，但拟议工作的几个重要特征将区分该项目的深远影响。 拟议的研究计划包括综合研究，教育和推广活动，涉及研究生和本科生，所获得的知识将用于两门课程的课堂教学，“微/纳机电系统”和“纳米科学与工程导论”。“这个项目还将通过暑期研究项目为本科生提供研究机会。 K-12学生将受益于拟议的教育活动，如发展服务学习和PI的参与夏季男孩和女孩科学营。 计划在菲斯克大学（一所历史悠久的黑人大学）举办的客座讲座和研讨会将扩大对少数民族学生的影响。 分子动力学代码将通过范德比尔特的高级计算研究教育中心（ACCRE）广泛传播。

AWARD ABSTRACT:CAREER: Fundamental Investigation and Thermal-Electrical Control of Ion, Fluid, and Biomolecular Transport through NanochannelsNanofluidics, the study of ion, fluid, and molecular behavior in a highly confined nano-environment, shows great potential in single molecular sensing and manipulation, which could be invaluable for high throughput drug screening. The design and application of nanofluidic devices, however, require complete understanding of, and control strategies for ion, fluid, and molecular transport through nanochannels, where novel phenomena occur because of nano-confinement. At present, our knowledge of nanofluidics is far from complete since nanofluidics is still in its infancy. The intellectual merit of the proposed research program is the advancement of nanofluidics with fundamental studies using molecular dynamics simulations and experimental measurements, and the development of thermal and electrical control strategies to manipulate ion, fluid, and molecular transport through nanochannels. The research will not only address fundamental issues such as ion distribution and bubble formation in nanochannels, but also develop microdevices for single molecule trapping and investigation.The broader impacts will naturally include dissemination of scientifically relevant discoveries in archival journals, but several important features of the proposed work will distinguish the far-reaching impacts of this project. The proposed research program includes integrated research, education, and outreach activities, which involve both graduate and undergraduate students, and the acquired knowledge will be used in the classroom instruction for two courses, "Micro/NanoElectromechanical Systems" and "Introduction to Nanoscience and Engineering." This project will also provide research opportunities to undergraduate students through summer research programs. K-12 students will benefit from the proposed educational activities such as development of service learning and the PI's involvement in summer boys and girls science camps. The planned guest lectures and seminars at Fisk University, a historically black university, will extend the impact to minority students. The molecular dynamics code will be broadly disseminated through Vanderbilt's Advanced Computing Center for Research & Education (ACCRE).