GOALI: Collaborative Research: Integrated Biomimetic Block Copolymer Composite Membranes

1512089/1512099 Phillip/KumarNotre Dame/Penn State通过数千年的进化，模仿生物膜已经开发出创新的运输机制，近年来引起了越来越多的兴趣。特别是，生物膜具有嵌入的蛋白质，能够有效地将化学物质运输进出细胞，并具有特殊的选择性。因此，开发模拟生物学精致过程的膜平台提供了一种进行许多对现代社会至关重要的化学分离的途径（例如，饮用水的净化）。为了使这些先进的膜对化学和生物分离产生影响，需要开发耐用的高性能复合膜。这些复合膜包括由高度多孔和可渗透的支撑层机械支撑的含有膜蛋白的仿生活性层。产生坚固的复合膜，实现膜蛋白的全部潜力，要求活性层和支撑层协同集成。拟议研究项目的目标是确定控制共聚物支撑体和仿生活性层的纳米结构和化学之间相互作用的关键材料关系，以优化复合仿生材料的分离性能。嵌段共聚物膜（BBCM）。这种新型的膜包括由膜蛋白的2D晶体制成的选择性层和由自组装共聚物制成的支撑层。该研究项目的成功实施将通过增强对如何将联合收割机两种自组装材料结合成与多种分离相关的复合膜的理解，提供一个变革性的技术平台。除了技术影响，新一代的研究生，本科生和高中生将在多学科和协作环境中接受培训。一个以水处理为重点的中学生夏令营将提供机会，将膜的这一重要应用带给更广泛的受众。

1512089/1512099Phillip/KumarNotre Dame/Penn StateMimicking biological membranes, which have developed innovative transport mechanisms through millennia of evolution, has gained increasing interest in recent years. In particular, biological membranes have embedded proteins that are capable of transporting chemical species into and out of cells efficiently and with exceptional selectivity. As such, developing membrane platforms that mimic the exquisite processes of biology provides a route toward performing many chemical separations that are critical to modern society (e.g., purification of drinking water). In order for these advanced membranes to make an impact on the chemical and biological separations the development of robust, high performance, composite membranes is required. These composite membranes comprise a biomimetic active layer containing membrane proteins supported mechanically by a highly-porous and permeable support layer. The generation of robust composite membranes, which realize the full potential of membrane proteins, requires that the active and support layers are integrated synergistically.The goal of the proposed research project is to identify the key materials relationships that control the interplay between the nanostructures and chemistries of the copolymer supports and the biomimetic active layers in order to optimize the separations performance of composite biomimetic-block copolymer membranes (BBCMs). This novel class of membranes comprises a selective layer made from 2D crystals of membrane proteins and a support layer made from self-assembled copolymers. The successful execution of this research project will deliver a transformative technology platform through an enhanced understanding of how to combine two self-assembled materials into a composite membrane relevant to a diversity of separations. Beyond the technical impact, a new generation of graduate, undergraduate, and high school students will be trained in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative setting. A summer camp for middle school students focused on water treatment will provide opportunities to bring this important application of membranes to a wider audience.