Design of nano- and microparticles by controlled micro-scale fluid flows

美国国家科学基金会-化学和运输系统分部-颗粒和多相过程项目（1415）提案编号：0741885首席研究员：Hayward， ryan隶属关系：马萨诸塞大学阿默斯特分校提案标题：通过控制微尺度流体流动来设计纳米和微粒子智能优点本研究项目将开发一种简单灵活的方法来制备具有新形态和多种功能的纳米和微粒子。这种方法依赖于使用微尺度流体流动来产生具有非常规则尺寸的有机溶剂液滴。如果液滴含有溶解的聚合物和/或分散的纳米颗粒，那么只需除去有机溶剂，就可以制备出几乎单分散的固体颗粒集合。通过明确液滴尺寸，可以系统地解决当溶剂被去除时，这些液滴中如何发生相分离和界面分离的基本问题，并且可以产生具有有趣形态和增强功能的新颗粒。具体来说，该项目的目标是：1)了解两亲性嵌段共聚物在不断缩小的有机溶剂中溶解的行为，并利用这种方法制备新的聚合物组件；2)制备多功能微纳米粒子作为荧光条形码或结合不同类型纳米粒子的互补特性3)确定复合粒子内纳米粒子的聚集和界面分离如何通过纳米粒子配体和复合粒子基质之间的相互作用等因素来调节了解复合微颗粒和纳米颗粒的相分离，并导致新颗粒的形成，可能在药物输送和癌症治疗中找到应用。这项工作的部分内容将被纳入麻省理工学院的一个名为“科学与工程星期六”的拓展项目，该项目为K-12科学教师提供了了解当前研究兴趣领域的机会，包括微流体和纳米技术。本科生和研究生将在研究和课堂环境中学习软材料和纳米技术的跨学科和技术重要领域。最后，该项目将为麻省理工学院的学生群体提供一个在研究生科学教育中经常被忽视的领域进行扎实的入门培训的机会：如何有效地教学。这种经验将为下一代科学教育工作者提供有效教学实践的工作知识，这些实践超越了传统的讲座形式，例如主动的和基于项目的学习。通过这样做，该计划旨在提高科学教育的质量，并在全国各地的节目中向不同的受众提供科学教育。

National Science Foundation - Division of Chemical &Transport Systems - Particulate & Multiphase Processes Program (1415)Proposal Number: 0741885Principal Investigator: Hayward, RyanAffiliation: University of Massechusetts AmherstProposal Title: Design of nano- and microparticles by controlled micro-scale fluid flowsIntellectual MeritIn this research program, a simple and flexible approach to prepare nano- and microparticles with new morphologies and multiple functionalities will be developed. This method relies on the use of micro-scale fluid flows to create droplets of organic solvents with very regular sizes. If the droplets contain dissolved polymers and/or dispersed nanoparticles, then simply by removing the organic solvent, nearly monodisperse collections of solid particles can be prepared. By working with well defined droplet sizes, fundamental questions about how phase separation and interfacial segregation occur in these droplets as the solvent is removed can be systematically addressed, and new particles with interesting morphologies and enhanced functionalities can be produced.Specifically, the goals of the project are to:1) Understand the behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers dissolved in a shrinking droplet of organic solvent, and use this approach to prepare new polymeric assemblies, such as hexosomes and dendritic particles2) Prepare multifunctional micro- and nanoparticles that serve as fluorescent barcodes or combine complementary properties of different types of nanoparticles 3) Determine how aggregation and interfacial segregation of nanoparticles within composite particles can be tuned by factors such as the interactions between nanoparticle ligands and the composite particle matrixBroader ImpactThe scientific outcomes of the proposed work will contribute to our basic understanding of phase separation in composite micro- and nanoparticles, and result in formation of novel particles that may find applications in drug delivery and cancer therapy. Elements of this work will be incorporated into an outreach program at UMass called Science & Engineering Saturdays, which provides opportunities for K-12 science teachers to learn about areas of current research interest, including microfluidics and nanotechnology. Undergraduate and graduate students will learn about interdisciplinary and technologically-important areas of soft materials and nanotechnology, both in a research and a classroom setting. Finally, the program will provide the student community at UMass the opportunity for solid introductory training in an area that is too often neglected in graduate science education: how to teach effectively. This experience will provide the next generation of science educators with a working knowledge of effective teaching practices that extend beyond the traditional lecture format, such as active and project-based learning. By doing so, this program seeks to improve the quality of science education, and its accessibility to a diverse audience, at programs throughout the country.