NER: Switchable nanomembranes for macromolecule separations

智力优势：该项目正在研究一种分子薄（15纳米）的硅基纳米孔膜材料（pnc-Si）在微流体应用中作为可切换分子过滤器的潜力。与任何商用膜材料相比，pnc-Si膜的厚度意味着分离效率和样品损失的数量级改善。利用硅带正电荷或负电荷的化学附着能力，实验将首先测量带电染料在不同离子强度溶液中的扩散传输，并与带电物质通过反带电孔扩散的理论进行比较。电荷对蛋白质通过膜扩散的影响将通过调节选定蛋白质等电点周围的溶液pH直接研究。最后，该项目将在pnc-Si膜上涂覆诺贝尔金属，并试图通过主动操纵膜电荷来操纵孔径和渗透率。更广泛的影响：Pnc-Si膜代表了可用于微流体系统的第一个模块化分子过滤器，并且应该允许主动调整孔径。这项技术将使一系列新的微流体装置能够用于分子种类的小规模分离和检测。该项目将与参加生物医学工程系两学期高级设计课程的本科生合作，开发表征pnc-Si膜和设备原型的系统。研究项目将为罗切斯特杰弗逊高中的创业学院项目做出贡献，开发一门关于技术和创业的短期课程，并为高中生提供有指导的研究职位。

Intellectual Merit: This project is investigating the potential of a molecularly thin (15 nm) silicon-based, nanoporous membrane material (pnc-Si) to serve as a switchable molecular filter in microfluidic applications. The thinness of pnc-Si membranes implies orders-of magnitude improvement in separation efficiencies and sample loss compared to any commercial membrane material. Exploiting the ability to chemically affix silicon with positive or negative charges, experiments will first measure diffusive transport of charged dyes in solutions of different ionic strengths and compare to theories of diffusion of charged species through counter-charged pores. The effects of charges on protein diffusion through membranes will be directly investigated by modulating solution pH around the isoelectric point of select proteins. Finally, the project will coat pnc-Si membranes with nobel metals and attempt to manipulate pore size and permeability through the active manipulation of membrane charge. Broader Impact:Pnc-Si membranes represent the first modular molecular filters available for microfluidic systems and should allow active adjustment of pore sizes. This technology should enable an array of new microfluidic devices for small-scale separation and detection of molecular species. The project will develop systems for characterizing pnc-Si membranes and device prototypes in collaboration with undergraduates participating in the Biomedical Engineering Department's two-semester Senior Design course. Research programs will contribute to the Academy of Entrepreneurship program at Rochester's Jefferson High School by developing a short course on technology and entrepreneurship and 2) by providing mentored research positions for high school students.