Functional devices made with porous hollow nanocapsules

在NSF化学部门的大分子，超分子和纳米化学计划的支持下，康涅狄格大学的尤金·平哈西克教授的研究小组创建了基于塑料制成的中空胶囊的功能设备，这些胶囊的直径不超过十亿分之一米。 这些微小的胶囊由聚合物（塑料）制成，旨在调节生物活性分子的吸收和释放，并作为容纳化学反应的隔间，其中产品可以随意释放。 这种结构是为了模仿自然而设计的。 它们的功能类似于通过在小的专门隔室中容纳不同的酶和生物分子来控制生物功能的细胞。 纳米胶囊的受控捕获和释放功能可能导致用于递送药物和医学成像剂的新装置。 能够响应于外部刺激产生产物的细胞模拟装置可以找到生物医学应用，例如，在糖尿病的管理中响应于葡萄糖水平调节胰岛素的产生。为了促进技术转让和提高教育经验，Pinkhassik教授为参与其研究的技术转让的研究生和本科生提供指导。近年来，课题组的几名研究生在商业计划竞赛中获奖。本项目的许多具体子目标是应用驱动的，适合对产品开发和先进制造感兴趣的学生。囊泡模板聚合物纳米胶囊正在成为一个可行的平台，用于创建具有上级性能的功能器件。 在自组装双层的有组织环境中结构单元的受控聚合使得能够合成具有纳米薄壳的纳米胶囊，所述纳米薄壳含有具有受控尺寸和化学环境的纳米孔。 合成的容易性加上壳的受控渗透性和纳米胶囊的长期稳定性为构建混合细胞模拟纳米器件创造了机会。 在NSF化学部门的大分子，超分子和纳米化学计划的支持下，该项目旨在扩大纳米胶囊平台的实用性。具体来说，Pinkhassik小组研究了含有包封酶的纳米胶囊的反应性和稳定性。 研究人员试图建立与轮烷样结构的透壳通讯。特别感兴趣的领域包括酶级联反应和纳米胶囊中的外部触发过程。 该项目的教育和外联部分旨在吸引大学预科学生，扩大代表性不足的群体对科学的参与，并为各级学生提供指导和研究机会。

With the support of the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry Program of the NSF Chemistry Division, the research group of Professor Eugene Pinkhassik at the University of Connecticut creates functional devices based on hollow capsules made of plastic that are no more than 1 billionth of a meter in diameter. These tiny capsules are made of polymers (plastics) and are designed to regulate the uptake and release of bioactive molecules as well as to serve as compartments for containing chemical reactions where the products can be released at will. Such structures are designed to mimic nature. They function in a similar way to cells that control biological functions by housing different enzymes and biological molecules in small specialized compartments. Controlled catch and release functionality of the nanocapsules may lead to new devices for the delivery of drugs and medical imaging agents. A cell-mimicking device capable of producing a product in response to an external stimulus may find biomedical applications, for example, regulating the production of insulin in response to the level of glucose in the management of diabetes. To facilitate technology transfer and to enhance the educational experience, Professor Pinkhassik provides mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students participating in the technology transfer of their research. In the recent years, several graduate students from the research group have won awards in business plan competitions. Many specific sub-goals of this project are application-driven and suitable for students interested in product development and advanced manufacturing.Vesicle-templated polymer nanocapsules are emerging as a viable platform for creating functional devices with superior performance. Controlled polymerization of building blocks in the organized environment of self-assembled bilayers enables the synthesis of nanocapsules with nanometer-thin shells containing nanopores with controlled size and chemical environment. The ease of synthesis coupled with the controlled permeability of the shells and long-term stability of nanocapsules creates an opportunity for building hybrid cell-mimicking nanodevices. With the support of the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry Program of the NSF Chemistry Division, this project aims to expand the utility of the nanocapsule platform. Specifically, the Pinkhassik group investigates the reactivity and stability of nanocapsules containing encapsulated enzymes. The researchers seek establish through-shell communication with rotaxane-like structures. Areas of particular interest include enzymatic cascade reactions and externally triggered processes in nanocapsules. The educational and outreach components of this project aim at engaging pre-college students, expanding the participation of underrepresented groups in science, and providing mentorship and research opportunities to students at all levels.