Novel bioinspired plasmonic nanocomposites platform for global health and global development applications

本提案的目标是建立一项研究计划，研究新型廉价纳米生物复合材料，该材料可用于具有全球意义的应用并解决全球关注的问题。纳米复合材料由于其极高的表面体积比，提供了独特的电学、光学、热学和机械性能。它们已经发现了许多技术应用，并可能在未来改变我们的生活。我们建议开发独特的纳米生物复合材料，具有独特和可调的性能，将找到广泛的应用。这些结构的制造易于扩展，并将产生廉价的材料。具体方向是：(i)开发和表征新型等离子体、纳米生物复合结构，（ii）评估通过这些结构的流体的毛细管流动，用于横向流动分析，（iii）探索对全球健康问题的潜在应用，以及（iv）探索它们在全球发展问题中的潜在应用。这些纳米复合材料是由双原子晶体（或硅藻土）、石墨烯和等离子体粒子制成的廉价且灵活的结构，并且以多种方式制造，以满足用于诊断的分子检测、用于表征的颗粒分离、抗菌应用以及用于清洁能源的改进氢生产等领域的特定需求。

The goal of this proposal is to establish a research program in novel inexpensive nanobiocomposite materials that can be used in applications of global significance and address problems of global concern. Nanocomposite materials offer unique electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties due to their exceptionally high surface-to-volume ratio. They have already found numerous technological applications and will likely transform our lives in the future. We propose to develop unique nanobiocomposites with unique and tunable properties that will find a wide range of applications. The fabrication of these structures is easily scalable and will yield inexpensive materials. The specific directions are to: (i) develop and characterize novel plasmonic, nanobiocomposite structures, (ii) evaluate the capillary flow of fluid through these structures for use in lateral flow assays, and (iii) explore potential applications to global health problems, and (iv) explore their potential applications in global development problems. These nanocomposites are inexpensive and flexible constructs made out of diatomic frustules (or diatomite), graphene, and plasmonic particles, and are fabricated in a variety of ways to fulfill the specific needs in the areas of molecular detection for diagnosis, particle separation for characterization, antibacterial applications, and improved hydrogen production towards clean energy. Specific aims 1. Fabrication and characterization of inexpensive and flexible plasmonic nanocomposite structures on tape. Several fabrication methods and deposition of nanocomposites on a tape will be explored and optimized for applications targeting molecular detection. In this aim we will also perform preliminary measurements of these nanocomposites via SERS and evaluate their analytical capabilities on specific target molecules of interest ranging from small molecules such as toxins to proteins and DNA. COMSOL simulations of the electrical properties will also be performed. 2. Evaluate the flow of fluid through the nanocomposite and use it in lateral flow applications such as for the separation of molecular components for their detection and characterization. These constructs will be compared with more traditional lateral flow assays based on paper for sensitivity and multiplexing capability. 3. Fabricate and evaluate the use of these nanocomposites for health applications via detection and characterization of biomarkers of disease such as tuberculosis markers and extracellular vesicles. 4. Fabricate and use plasmonic nanocomposites targeted for several global development applications such as water purification, antimicrobial applications, and clean energy.