NIRT: Nano-Composite Metal Oxides for Electronic Noses

这项提案是对NSF 02-148 NIRT类纳米科学与工程倡议的响应。该项目旨在利用提议团队在纳米结构材料制造、设计、表征和测试方面的专业知识与生化工程方面的专业知识的协同作用，以生产下一代分子化学和生物传感器(纳米结构电子鼻)。过渡金属氧化物纳米线和纳米生物复合材料将成为先进检测设备的传感元件，用于通过检测微量有毒化学物质来快速诊断疾病和生物战活动。这是一项跨学科的努力，目的是利用纳米结构金属氧化物传感器阵列制造电子鼻，每个传感器都针对特定的气体。纳米氧化物的特异性是通过利用它们的结构敏感性来实现的。拟议的研究重点是研究纳米结构传感探针的形成机理，测试其结构和机械稳定性，并评估其生物检测能力。还将开发用于测量纳米材料性能的新工具。开发新的纳米材料和工艺用于快速、可靠的气体探测器，以监测人体健康和环境，是该项目的目标。拟议的研究将由一个来自不同学科的研究小组进行，他们在纳米材料的加工、表征和测试以及生物工程方面拥有互补的专业知识。将研究活动与拟议的教育内容相结合(包括为理工科本科生开设新的传感器课程和医学领域的研究经验等)。该奖项通过NSF的两个主管部门共同支持：(I)数学和物理科学(陶瓷项目材料研究部门)和(Ii)工程学(纳米制造项目设计、制造和工业创新部门以及生物工程和环境科学部门)。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative, NSF 02-148, category NIRT. This project aims at exploiting the synergy of expertise of the proposer team in nanostructured materials fabrication, design, characterization, and testing with that in biochemical engineering in order to produce the next generation of molecular chemical and biological sensors (Nanostructured E-noses). Transition metal oxide nanowires and nano-bio-composites will be the sensing elements of advanced detection devices used to rapidly diagnose diseases and bio-warfare activities through the detection of trace amounts of toxic chemicals. This is an interdisciplinary effort to manufacture electronic "noses" from arrays of nanostructured metal oxide sensors, each of which is specific to a given gas. Specificity in nanostructured oxides is achieved by exploiting their structure sensitivity. The proposed research focuses on the study of formation mechanisms of the nanostructured sensing probes, on testing their structural and mechanical stability, and on assessing their bio-detection capabilities. New tools for measuring the properties of nanostructured materials will also be developed.The development of novel nanomaterials and processes for use in fast, reliable gas detectors for the monitoring of the human health and of the environment is the aim of this project. The proposed research will be performed by a team of investigators from various disciplines, having complimentary expertise in the processing, characterization and testing of nanomaterials and in bioengineering. The integration of the research activities with the proposed educational components (including offering new courses on sensors and research experience for science and engineering undergraduate students in a medical setting, etc.) will prepare students and young professional for future challenges, ultimately improving the national security.The award is jointly supported through two directorates at NSF: (i) Mathematical and Physical Sciences (Division of Materials Research in the Ceramics program) and (ii) Engineering (Division of Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation in the Nanomanufacturing program and the Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences).