Nanoparticle Interactions and Nanoscale Transport in Polyelectrolyte Brushes

纳米粒子有各种尺寸、形状、化学性质和功能，包括折叠蛋白质、病毒和量子点。该项目将研究单个纳米粒子在复杂环境中的运动。 大多数以前的纳米粒子运动的研究已被限制在粒子或粒子在均匀环境中的合奏的研究，这些研究提供了一个有价值的基础上建立。成像方法和数据处理方法的最新进展使得能够一次一个颗粒地研究异质环境中的纳米颗粒。一种新的成像方法提供了改进的空间和时间分辨率，可以检测界面处的生物分子，研究人员将把这种先进的成像方法应用于研究界面处的纳米颗粒运动，特别是具有各种功能的界面。这些研究和基本的理解将为基于大小，形状或电荷分离天然或合成纳米颗粒的先进策略提供信息。研究人员将指导本科生研究人员，参与费城的公共外展活动，并与一个计划合作，将科学实验室带到服务不足的高中生。纳米粒子有各种大小，形状，化学成分和功能，从折叠蛋白质，病毒和量子点。由于界面处的纳米颗粒支撑着广泛和不断扩大的应用范围，包括纳米级过滤和检测，因此该项目将研究单个纳米颗粒在复杂局部环境中的运动。 大多数以前的纳米粒子运动的研究已被限制在粒子或粒子在均匀环境中的合奏的研究，这些研究提供了一个有价值的基础上建立。成像方法和数据处理方法的最新进展使得能够一次一个颗粒地研究异质环境中的纳米颗粒。干涉散射显微镜提供卓越的空间和时间分辨率，最初开发用于在界面处对生物分子进行成像。该项目将使用这种先进的方法来研究纳米粒子在界面上的运动，特别是具有各种功能的界面，以及在外加电场下的运动。这些研究和基本的理解将通过设计选择性捕获纳米颗粒的界面，为基于尺寸，形状或电荷分离天然或合成纳米颗粒提供先进的策略。这种新的认识还将为生产具有更均匀特征的更高质量纳米颗粒产品提供策略。纳米颗粒动力学的差异化机制也可以导致先进的传感应用。PI Winey和Composto将指导本科生研究人员，参与费城的公共外展活动，并与一个计划合作，将科学实验室带到服务不足的高中生中。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Nanoparticles come in a variety of sizes, shapes, chemistries, and functionalities, including folded proteins, viruses, and quantum dots. This project will research the motion of individual nanoparticles in complex environments. Most previous studies of nanoparticle motion have been limited to studies of ensembles of particles or particles in homogeneous environments, and these studies provide a valuable foundation upon which to build. Recent advances in imaging methods and data processing methods enable the study of nanoparticles in heterogeneous environments one particle at a time. A new imaging method provides improved spatial and temporal resolution that detects biomolecules at interface, and the investigators will apply this advanced imaging method to the study of nanoparticle motion at interfaces, particularly interfaces with various functionalities. These studies and fundamental understanding will inform advanced strategies for separating natural or synthetic nanoparticles based on size, shape, or charge. The investigators will mentor undergraduate researchers, engage with public outreach events across Philadelphia, and partner with a program to bring the science laboratory to underserved high school students.Nanoparticles come in a variety of sizes, shapes, chemistries, and functionalities, ranging from folded proteins, viruses, and quantum dots. Because nanoparticles at interfaces underpin a broad and expanding range of applications including nanoscale filtering and detection, this project will research the motion of individual nanoparticles in complex local environments. Most previous studies of nanoparticle motion have been limited to studies of ensembles of particles or particles in homogeneous environments, and these studies provide a valuable foundation upon which to build. Recent advances in imaging methods and data processing methods enable the study of nanoparticles in heterogeneous environments one particle at a time. Interferometric scattering microscopy provides exceptional spatial and temporal resolution and was originally developed to image biomolecules at interfaces. This project will use this advanced method to study nanoparticle motion at interfaces, particularly interfaces with various functionalities, and under applied electric fields. These studies and fundamental understanding will inform advanced strategies for separating natural or synthetic nanoparticles based on size, shape, or charge by designing interfaces that selectively trap nanoparticles. This new understanding will also provide strategies for producing higher quality nanoparticle products with more uniform characteristics. Differentiating mechanisms of nanoparticle dynamics can also lead to advanced sensing applications. PIs Winey and Composto will mentor undergraduate researchers, engage with public outreach events across Philadelphia, and partner with a program to bring the science laboratory to underserved high school students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.