Collaborative Research: Electrofluidic Carbon Nanofiber Arrays for Multi-Dimensional Separations

提案编号：0729250 / 0728860首席研究员：Jason Heikenfeld / Philip RackINSTITUTION：辛辛那提大学/田纳西大学-诺克斯维尔提案标题：合作研究：用于多维分离的电流体碳纳米纤维阵列这项合作提案的目标是创建一种新的多相传输平台，为多维分离提供新的功能。该团队将构建二维容器阵列，每个容器由10,000个紧密间隔（10 -100纳米）的电流体碳纳米纤维（ecnf）组成。这些垂直定向的ecnf包括一个高度共形疏水介质涂层。周长约250 × 250微米的电池由底层薄膜晶体管电气控制。整个阵列顶部密封，形成约10微米高的微流体通道。这就产生了一个二维的高活性细胞阵列，可以快速泵送水相和一个或多个不混相。这种方法是独一无二的，因为所有的分离机制在每个细胞中都是同时活跃和可切换的。具体的研究目标包括：(1)研究ECNF细胞线性阵列对被动转运的三维控制；(2)通过集成薄膜硅晶体管阵列激活多相油/水/粒子泵送；(3)验证该平台可以在x-y位置、尺寸、质量、表面能和离子电荷等维度上进行高值分离。主要的科学问题包括：(a)提供真正集成系统中维度和峰值容量之间权衡的第一手知识；(b)提供了在德拜（纳米）尺度上理解颗粒和多相流体流动的新机制；(c)向能够模拟细胞内囊泡运输和活性膜运输的高活性纳米结构迈出关键的第一步。这个项目将直接影响药物发现、实验室规模的分离、人体芯片传感器和纳米技术等领域。该团队在几个领域拥有专业知识：药物发现（NeoCytex Biopharma）、膜分离（NSF膜应用科学与技术中心）和纳米技术开发（Luna Nanoworks分部）。该团队已经利用他们的初步研究，以便科学地吸引两组K-8学生。该团队将继续专注于对K-8阶段少数民族的至关重要的刺激，并将扩大教育目标，包括在辛辛那提和田纳西州之间开展独特的本科生研究交流。

PROPOSAL NUMBER: 0729250 / 0728860PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jason Heikenfeld / Philip RackINSTITUTION: University of Cincinnati / University of Tennessee - KnoxvillePROPOSAL TITLE: Collaborative Research: Electrofluidic Carbon Nanofiber Arrays for Multi-Dimensional SeparationsThe objective of this collaborative proposal is to create a novel multiphase transport platform that provides new capabilities for multidimensional separations. The team will construct two-dimensional arrays of containment cells, each cell consisting of 10,000 closely spaced (10's-100's nm) electrofluidic carbon nanofibers (ECNFs). These vertically oriented ECNFs include a highly conformal hydrophobic dielectric coating. Cells of ~250x250-micrometer perimeter are electrically controlled by an underlying thin film transistor. The entire array is top-sealed and forms a ~10-micrometer high microfluidic channel. This creates a 2D array of highly active cells that can rapidly pump an aqueous phase and one or more immiscible phases. This approach is unique since all separation mechanisms are simultaneously active and switchable in each cell. Specific research aims include: (1) investigate 3-dimensional control of passive transport through a linear array of ECNF cells; (2) activate multiphase oil/water/particle pumping via integration with a thin-film Si transistor array; (3) validate that the platform can perform high-value separations in the dimensions of x-y location, size, mass, surface energy, and ionic charge. Leading scientific issues include: (a) providing the first knowledge of the tradeoff between dimensionality and peak capacity in a truly integrated system; (b) providing a new mechanism for understanding particle and multi-phase fluid flow at Debye (nano) scales; (c) making critical first steps towards highly active nanostructures that can mimic intracellular vesicle trafficking and active membrane transport. This project will directly impact the fields of drug discovery, lab-scale separations, human-onchip sensors, and nanotechnology. The team has expertise in several areas: drug-discovery (NeoCytex Biopharma), membrane separations (NSF Center for Membrane Applied Science and Technology), and nanotechnology development (Luna Nanoworks Division). The team has already utilized their preliminary research in order to scientifically engage two groups of K-8 students. The team will continue to focus on critically important stimulation of minorities at the K-8 level and will broaden educational aims to include a unique undergraduate research exchange between Cincinnati and Tennessee.