EAGER: NanoEHS Critical Needs - Determining Surface Composition in Biological Media and the Roles of Core Composition and Very Small Particles

AbstractCBET - 1424502Vicki H. GrassianOverview：在理解纳米材料的环境健康和安全（NanoEHS）方面的挑战很多，但从科学的角度来看，一些基本问题仍然是至关重要的。事实上，如果没有解决这些问题的研究，进展将受到限制。智力优势：EAGER的提案将在一个有特定目标，假设和目标的集中计划中解决几个关键需求。这些关键领域包括：1.生物介质中纳米材料表面的性质2.核在表面功能化纳米粒子中的作用3.纳米粒子的这种独特行为不仅与其物理尺寸有关，还与量子效应和其他内在尺寸相关的电子效应有关，为此提出了一系列有针对性的实验。这些实验是可行的，将提供必要的结果，以确定一个框架，解决本提案中讨论的问题。在这些实验中，纳米颗粒将被不同的表面功能覆盖，包括蛋白质。我们将在不同介质中进行这些研究，以了解这些颗粒的毒性，即几种不同pH值的模拟生物介质，以反映胃液和肺液。此外，我们可以量化的溶解和活性氧产生量在每一个这些和作为一个功能的粒径，在一个尺寸范围内，量子限制是重要的，并在该尺寸范围外的电子状态结构的散装属性，例如带隙，是相关的。首先，拟议的研究旨在更好地了解纳米材料对环境和健康的影响。这些研究将有助于不断扩大关于纳米科学和纳米技术对环境和健康的潜在影响的数据库。这项与社会相关的研究旨在解决纳米技术行业潜在的环境问题。因此，总的来说，它有潜力为公众和消费者提供更大的利益。拟议的活动提供了一个机会，培养学生在一个高度跨学科的研究领域，涉及环境科学和工程，化学，纳米科学，胶体和表面化学。PI在成功指导从高中到博士后助理和访问研究科学家的各级学生方面有着良好的记录，并将继续努力指导下一代科学家和工程师。 许多学生来自科学和工程领域代表性不足的群体，包括很大比例的女性（超过60%）和少数民族，包括免费和减少午餐计划的学生，以及通常更多样化的学生群体。从这个NSF赠款的资金将用于培训研究生和本科生，以更好地参与这些小学生以及公众在科学和工程。

AbstractCBET - 1424502Vicki H. GrassianOverview:The challenges in understanding the environmental health and safety of nanomaterials (NanoEHS)are many but several fundamental issues in particular remain critical from a scientific perspective.In fact, it has become apparent that progress will be limited without studies to address these issues.Intellectual Merit:This EAGER proposal will address several critical needs in a concentrated program with specific objectives, hypotheses and goals. These critical areas include:1. The nature of the surface of nanomaterials in biological media2. The role of the core in surface functionalized nanoparticles3. The unique behavior imparted to very small nanoparticles that is not just due to physical size but instead due to quantum and other intrinsic size dependent electronic effects.A series of targeted experiments are proposed to address these needs. These experiments are feasible and will provide the necessary results to define a framework to address the issues discussed in this proposal. In these experiments, nanoparticles will be covered using different surface functionalities including proteins. We will conduct these studies in different media relevant to understanding the toxicity of these particles, i.e. several simulated biological media of different pH to reflect both stomach and lung fluids. Furthermore, we can quantify the amount of dissolution and ROS production in each of these and as a function of particlesize, within a size range where quantum confinement is important and outside of that size range where bulk properties of electronic state structure, e.g. the band gap, are relevant.Broader Impacts:There are several broader impacts and translational aspects of the proposed research. First, the proposed studies are designed to gain better insight into the environmental and health impacts of nanomaterials. These studies will contribute to the growing database on the potential environmental and health implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This society relevant research is designed to address potential environmental problems for the nanotechnology industry. Therefore overall it has the potential to provide for the greater good of the public and consumers. The proposed activities provide an opportunity to train students in a highly interdisciplinary research area that involves environmental science and engineering, chemistry, nanoscience, colloid and surface chemistry. The PI has a track record of successfully mentoring students at all levels from high school to postdoctoral associates and visiting research scientists and will continue this effort to mentor the next generation of scientists and engineers. Many of the students are from underrepresented groups in science and engineering including a large percentage of women (more than 60%) and minorities including students on free and reduced lunch programs and typically more diverse student populations. Funds from this NSFgrant will be used to train graduate and undergraduate students to better engage these elementary students as well as the public in science and engineering.