Soft Matter: from Nano to Microscales

本提案描述了一个全面的研究计划，重点是在纳米和微观尺度上对软物质的基础研究。提案中描述的三个研究方向的统一主题是纳米尺度构建块（金属纳米棒、纤维素纳米丝和生物细丝）的结构各向异性。这些构建模块在具有耦合等离子体特性的结构中经历分层多尺度组织，具有增强圆二色性的胆甾液晶，以及具有独特机械和输运特性的水凝胶。通过发展对纳米、微（和更大）长度尺度上这些构建块组织的普遍原理的理解，我们将实现控制其特性的能力，并将设计、概念化、合成和制造具有生物传感、重金属清除、光学工程、三维细胞培养、药物输送和伤口愈合等先进应用的新材料。******拟议研究的合作和跨学科性质将为学生和博士后提供化学、物理、生物和工程方面的培训，并为他们未来在学术界、工业界和政府机构的职业生涯做好准备。*****

This proposal describes a comprehensive research program focused on the fundamental studies of soft matter at nano- and microscales. The unifying theme of three research directions described in the proposal is the structural anisotropy of nanoscale building blocks (metal nanorods, cellulose nanowiskers and biological filaments). These building blocks undergo hierarchical multi-scale organization in structures with coupled plasmonic properties, cholesteric liquid crystals with enhanced circular dichroism, and hydrogels with unique mechanical and transport properties. By developing understanding of the universal principles governing the organization of these building blocks on nano, micro- (and larger) length scales we will achieve the ability to control their properties and will design, conceptualize, synthesize and fabricate new materials with advanced applications in biosensing, heavy metal scavenging, opto-engineering, three-dimensional cell culture, drug delivery, and wound healing.******The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the proposed research will provide training of students and postdoctoral fellows with training in chemistry, physics, biology and engineering and will prepare them for future careers in Academia, Industry and Governmental Institutions.*****