Collaborative Research: Forests of Magnetic Nanofibers for Liquid Transport and Manipulation

该特定项目旨在开发新型制造技术，用于具有可变（优化）密度的高纵横比复合磁性纳米纤维（纳米线）阵列/森林的制造和表面功能化。这些材料有望实现众多微流体和纳米流体应用，包括液体、悬浮液和颗粒的传输、微流体搅拌和混合、润湿和粘附的交替。 作为该提案的战略目标，我们设想通过以下组合将混合磁性纳米纤维组装成有序纳米结构：（a）纳米纤维制造的模板方法，（b）用于调节森林中纳米纤维密度的胶体光刻，以及（c）纳米纤维的表面功能化以实现与周围环境的受控相互作用。 所开发材料的独特性在于纳米纤维应具有具有柔性磁性金属核和有机护套的核壳形态，并且还在于阵列中纳米纤维的密度被优化。所提出方法的开发将直接影响纳米科学和纳米技术的最新进展在具有广泛应用的工业技术中的实施，包括分析化学、医学、生物纳米技术、光学。该项目的另一个优先事项是让最聪明的高中生、本科生和研究生参与现代纳米技术导向的研究。该项目将对这些学生进行纳米制造、各种微纳米机电系统以及表面科学领域的培训。学生将从该项目的跨学科性质中受益匪浅。我们将大力努力增加攻读科学和工程学高级学位的学生数量，特别是少数族裔和女性。

This particular project is aimed at the development of novel manufacturing techniques for fabrication and surface functionalization of arrays/forests of high-aspect-ratio composite magnetic nanofibers (nanowires) with variable (optimized) density. These materials promise numerous micro and nanofluidic applications involving the transport of liquids, suspensions and particles, microfluidic agitation and mixing, alternation of wetting and adhesion. As a strategic goal of this proposal we envision the assembling of hybrid magnetic nanofibers into ordered nanostructures by combination of: (a) Template method for nanofiber fabrication, (b) Colloidal lithography for regulation of nanofiber density in the forest, and (c) Surface functionalization of nanofibers to achieve controlled interactions with the surrounding environment. The uniqueness of the materials to be developed is revealed in that the nanofibers should have a core-sheath morphology with a flexible magnetic metallic core and an organic sheath, and also in that the density of the nanofibers in the arrays is optimized. Development of the proposed approach will directly impact the implementation of recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology to industrial technologies with broad applications, including analytical chemistry, medicine, bionanotechnology, optics. Another priority of the proposed project is the involvement of the brightest high school, undergraduate and graduate students in modern nanotechnology oriented research. The project will result in the training of these students in the areas of nanofabrication and various micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems, and surface science. Students will greatly benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of this project. Significant effort will be directed toward increasing the numbers of students--especially minorities and women--who are pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering.