Enabling the discovery and development of functional materials and technologies via confocal rheometry

通过共焦流变测量实现功能材料和技术的发现和开发

• 批准号: RTI-2018-00878
• 负责人: Ramchandran, Arun
• 金额: $ 10.72万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=642328
• 关键词: Enabling; discovery; development; functional; materials

Small scale technologies carry the potential for a revolutionary transformation of the discovery and development of new materials and therapeutics. A combination of the state-of-the-art microfluidic and nanofabrication research facilities at the Centre for Microfluidic Systems (CMS) in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Toronto, and an NSERC CREATE Training program in organ-on-a-chip engineering and entrepreneurship, is allowing us to train engineers and scientists with the integrated expertise required to bring these technologies into fruition. Our team of exceptional researchers has made significant advances towards the development of platforms for studying physical and mechanistic aspects of diseases, driving the discovery of therapeutics and drug delivery systems, developing new biomaterials, and studying live cell responses. Our research programs in these areas are being slowed down, however, because a majority of materials in our projects are fluid or gel like, but there is no instrument in CMS that can measure material rheology (the deformation and flow properties of materials). In this proposal, we request a rheometer that allows confocal microscopy along with rheological measurements. This hybrid instrument will allow us to prescribe accurate and controlled degrees of stresses on materials, while simultaneously imaging the changes in the three-dimensional, internal microstructure of the material. This powerful capability will address the characterization shortcomings mentioned above, enabling us to fulfil the potential of our research programs and facilitating their translation into commercially-available technologies. The CMS will house the confocal rheometer, and will provide the infrastructure and technical staff for support and maintenance. Training on the use of the instrument and the principles underlying its operation will be provided via short course directly offered by the principal investigator. When highly qualified personnel (HQP) involved in CMS and the CREATE program emerge from training, they will possess not only advanced technical knowledge but also entrepreneurial skills to translate technologies developed in our laboratories to successful spin-offs and jobs in Canada. Thus, our HQP will give Canadian industry a huge competitive edge.

小规模技术具有革命性转变的潜力，可以发现和开发新材料和治疗方法。在多伦多大学化学和生物学微流体系统中心（CMS）的最先进的微流体和纳米纤维研究设施的结合，以及NSERC在器官芯片工程和创业方面的CREATE培训计划，使我们能够培养具有将这些技术付诸实践所需的综合专业知识的工程师和科学家。我们的优秀研究人员团队在开发用于研究疾病的物理和机制方面的平台方面取得了重大进展，推动了治疗和药物递送系统的发现，开发了新的生物材料，并研究了活细胞反应。然而，我们在这些领域的研究计划正在放缓，因为我们项目中的大多数材料都是流体或凝胶状的，但CMS中没有可以测量材料流变学（材料的变形和流动特性）的仪器。在这个建议中，我们要求流变仪，允许共焦显微镜沿着与流变测量。这种混合仪器将使我们能够规定材料上精确和受控的应力程度，同时对材料的三维内部微观结构的变化进行成像。这种强大的能力将解决上述表征缺点，使我们能够发挥我们研究计划的潜力，并促进其转化为商业可用的技术。CMS将容纳共焦流变仪，并将提供基础设施和技术人员进行支持和维护。将通过主要研究者直接提供的短期课程提供关于仪器使用及其操作原理的培训。当参与CMS和CREATE计划的高素质人员（HQP）从培训中脱颖而出时，他们不仅将拥有先进的技术知识，还将拥有创业技能，将我们实验室开发的技术转化为成功的衍生产品和加拿大的就业机会。因此，我们的HQP将给加拿大工业带来巨大的竞争优势。