Low-Cost Physical Models of Proteins

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的目标是开发所需的技术，通过注塑方法生产蛋白质和其他分子结构的准确，低成本的物理模型。要做到这一点，需要两种不同的技术创新。首先，将创建新的软件，以允许将蛋白质的复杂几何结构展开为片段的集合，每个片段都是可模塑的。第二，需要进一步开发PHAST快速模具工艺。在这个过程中，陶瓷模具首先由快速原型制作的复杂主模型铸造而成。最后的金属注射成型工具，然后创建由粉末金属包装对陶瓷模具和渗透在高温下与熔融铜合金。这种方法创建了一个具有复杂几何形状的硬金属注塑模具，这几乎是不可能通过传统方法创建的，成本仅为传统加工的一小部分。 该项目的成功完成将导致产生一系列物理模型，可用于向学生介绍分子结构和功能的概念。目前还没有其他技术可以以允许其广泛传播的成本生产这些结构的物理模型。蛋白质和其他分子结构的物理模型，将导致从这个项目将在中学和本科水平的科学教室中使用，以吸引更广泛的学生在分子生物科学的职业生涯。这些物理模型在捕捉代表性不足的少数民族学生的兴趣方面特别有用，否则他们可能不会对追求科学事业产生兴趣。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop the technology needed to produce accurate, low-cost physical models of proteins and other molecular structures by an injection molding approach. Two different technical innovations are required to make this possible. First, new software will be created to allow the unfolding of the complex geometry of a protein into a collection of fragments, each of which is moldable. Second, further development of the PHAST rapid tooling process will be required. In this process, ceramic molds are first cast from a complex master-pattern created by rapid prototyping. The final metal injection molding tool is then created from powdered metal packed against the ceramic mold and infiltrated at high temperature with a molten copper alloy. This approach creates a hard metal injection mold with a complex geometry that would be virtually impossible to create by traditional methods, at a fraction of the cost of traditional machining. The successful completion of this project will result in the production of a collection of physical models that can be used to introduce students to concepts of molecular structure and function. No other technology currently exists with which physical models of these structures can be produced at a cost that will allow their widespread dissemination. The physical models of proteins and other molecular structures that will result from this project will be used in science classrooms at both the secondary and undergraduate levels to attract a broader spectrum of students to careers in the molecular biosciences. These physical models are especially useful in capturing the interest of under-represented minority students who might not otherwise develop an interest in pursuing careers in science.