Separation of Complex Materials by Field-Flow Fractionation

这项研究在分析和表面化学计划的支持下，专注于场流分馏(FFF)的发展，这是一种基于正交力场分离大分子和小颗粒的技术。分析物混合物被泵入一个矩形通道，并施加相对于流动方向90度的力。特别是，这笔赠款将探索使用温度梯度和重力来实现分离。此外，还研究了分析型分流薄壁分离法(Splitt)，这是一种沿通道宽度进行分离的方法，在通道的一端或两端使用分离器，以确定其分析分离的可能性。在这里，分离是基于流体动力升力，这允许根据扩散系数来表征物种。这些技术可用于表征各种生物和合成材料。分析和表面化学计划中的这笔赠款将支持使用场流分馏分离大分子和小颗粒的改进方法的研究。这是吉丁斯教授发明的一种程序，在这种程序中，根据形状、密度和电学特性的不同，使用交叉力场来分离微小(微米大小)的粒子或分子。这种方法在生物技术和材料科学领域将有广泛的应用。

This research, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, is focused on the development of Field Flow Fractionation (FFF), a technique based on the use of orthogonal force fields to separate large molecules and small particles. The analyte mixture is pumped into a rectangular channel, and a force is applied 90 degrees relative to the direction of flow. In particular, this grant will explore the use of thermal gradients and gravitational forces to effect the separation. In addition, analytical split flow thin cell (SPLITT) fractionation, a method where the separation occurs along the channel width, and where splitters are used at one or both ends of the channel, is investigated to determine it's potential for analytical separations. Here, the separation is based on hydrodynamic lift forces, which allows characterization of species based on diffusion coefficients. These techniques can be used to characterize a variety of biological and synthetic materials. This grant in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program will support research into improved methods for the separation of large molecules and small particles using field flow fractionation. This is a procedure invented by Professor Giddings in which crossed force fields are used to separate small (micron-sized) particles or molecules based on differences in shape, density, and electrical characteristics. This methodology will have wide-ranging applications in the fields of biotechnology and materials science.