NIRT: Engineered Molecular Fluidics

提案编号：0609087标题：NIRT：工程分子流体PI：Sheiko，Sergei S.机构：北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校本提案是对NSF 05-610类纳米科学与工程倡议的响应而收到的。该项目将探索微制造流体分子流体学的一个新方向，其中一个人可以一次监测、探测和操纵一个分子的流动。将对固体衬底上的流体单层的行为进行研究，该固体衬底既可以通过电场操纵，也可以通过与衬底的相互作用等内在手段来操纵。提出的方法是基于流和电场响应分子的综合设计，流动下表面受限大分子的实验和理论研究，以及流驱动技术的工程化。从薄膜前端的运动到薄膜内单个分子的运动，流动将在一个广泛的长度范围内进行监测。由于分子构象对流动作出响应，并可能对外界刺激(如电场)做出反应，因此人们期待着既能探测流动性质又能主动影响流动结构的分子器件的发展。如果成功实施，电控表面将创造一系列新的材料和设备，使各向异性润湿、定向液体传输和各向异性摩擦学成为可能，甚至可能实现自我清洁或指导生物材料和植入物的活细胞生长。实验结果将继续与理论预测和计算机模拟研究进行验证，并将指导合成更多的功能大分子。就更广泛的影响而言，这项研究将促进对表面受限聚合物链构象和动力学的基本了解，并导致界面流动及其与电场相互作用的新理论的发展。此外，拟议的多学科研究领域的高度互动和高效率的团队合作将确保在学生和博士后的跨学科培训、与6-12所学校的伙伴关系以及代表性不足的群体的参与的基础上，最大限度地将科学与教育结合起来。合作教育计划涉及三个方面的活动：(I)开发新的研究生课程和新的实验模块；(Ii)共同建议和交换学生，使他们在聚合物化学、先进的聚合物理论、可视化和微制造技术方面体验高度跨学科的教育；(Iii)通过入门讲座和大学暑期研究项目的形式与当地高中进行定期互动。最重要的目标之一是将分子可视化从大学带入高中课堂，在高中课堂上，看到分子的能力对分子结构和化学反应的教学将是无价的。

ABSTRACTProposal No.: 0609087Title: NIRT: Engineered Molecular FluidicsPI: Sheiko, Sergei S.Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillThis proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. This project will explore a new direction in micro-fabricated fluidics molecular fluidics wherein one can monitor, probe, and manipulate flows one molecule at a time. Investigations will be performed on the behavior of fluid mono-layers residing on solid substrates that can be manipulated by both electric fields and intrinsic means such as the interaction with the substrate. The proposed approach is based on synthetic design of flow- and electric field-responsive molecules, experimental and theoretical studies of surface-confined macromolecules under flow, and the engineering of flow actuation techniques. The flow will be monitored over a broad range of length scales from the motion of the film front all the way down to the movements of individual molecules within the film. Since molecular conformation responds to flow and may respond to external stimuli such as electric fields, one anticipates the development of molecular devices that can both probe the flow properties and actively affect the flow structure. If successfully implemented, electrically controlled surfaces will lead to creation of a new range of materials and devices that enable anisotropic wetting, directional liquid transport, and anisotropic tribology, and may even be self-cleaning or direct the growth of live cells for biomaterials and implants. Experimental findings will be continuously tested against theoretical predictions and computer simulation studies, and will guide the synthesis of additional functional macromolecules. With respect to broader impacts, the proposed research will advance fundamental understanding of the conformation and dynamics of surface-confined polymer chains and lead to the development of new theories for interfacial flow and its interaction with electric fields. Furthermore, the highly interactive and efficient teamwork in the proposed multi-disciplinary research area will ensure maximum opportunity for integrating science and education based on the interdisciplinary training of student and postdocs, partnerships with 6-12 schools, and involvement of underrepresented groups. The collaborative education plan involves three areas of activity: (i) the development of a new graduate course and a new lab module, (ii) co-advising and an exchange of students that will experience a highly interdisciplinary education in polymer chemistry, advanced polymer theory, visualization and micro-fabrication techniques, (iii) and regular interactions with local high schools in form of introductory lectures and summer research programs at our universities. One of the most important goals is to bring molecular visualization from university to high-school classrooms where the ability to see molecules would be invaluable for the teaching of molecular structures and chemical reactions.