GOALI: Semi-Packed Gas Separation Columns with Monolayer-Protected Gold Phases

目标：具有单层保护金相的半填充气相分离柱本提案的目的是介绍一种称为半填充气相色谱柱的新结构和一种固定相涂层的新方法。该方法是利用MEMS技术制造半填充柱，并利用纳米技术使柱表面均匀功能化。智力优势：提出的半填充柱由微流体通道与嵌入有序柱（柱）阵列组成。这些新的色谱柱，没有任何传统的对应物，提供更高的样品容量和更高的分离效率。提出了四个具体目标：1)用片上加热器和温度传感器制造半填充柱，2)在纳米分辨率的MEMS柱表面沉积功能化金纳米颗粒或金薄膜，3)用单层保护的金相评估MEMS柱的性能，4)在工业条件下用商业相涂覆MEMS柱，并与涂覆固定相的MEMS柱进行性能分析。更广泛的影响：这个项目的结果将为MEMS和纳米技术如何成为开发低成本、低功耗、高性能微器件的高度互补的方法树立一个杰出的榜样。这项研究还将通过为本科生提供研究机会、招募研究生参与高度跨学科的研究项目、将项目成果纳入不同部门/机构的pi教授的课程，以及弗吉尼亚理工大学、威廉玛丽学院和Restek公司就微气相色谱和新型固定相举行的年度联合研讨会，在促进教学的同时推进发现。

GOALI: Semi-Packed Gas Separation Columns with Monolayer-Protected Gold PhasesThe objective of this proposal is to introduce a new architecture for GC columns named semi-packed and a new method for stationary phase coating. The approach is to use MEMS technology for the fabrication of semi-packed columns and to utilize nanotechnology to uniformly functionalize the column surfaces.Intellectual Merit: The proposed semi-packed columns consist of a microfluidic channel with an embedded array of ordered pillars (posts). These new columns, which do not have any conventional counterpart, offer both higher sample capacities and higher separation efficiencies. Four specific goals are proposed: 1) fabricating semi-packed columns with on-chip heaters and temperature sensors, 2) depositing functionalized gold nanoparticles or gold thin films on all surfaces of the MEMS-based columns with nanometer resolutions, 3) evaluation of the performance of MEMS columns with their monolayer-protected gold phases, and 4) coating the MEMS columns with commercial phases under industrial conditions to analyze their performance against those coated with proposed stationary phases. Broader Impacts: The outcome of this project will set an outstanding example of how MEMS and Nanotechnology can become highly complementary methodologies to develop low-cost, low-power, high-performance microdevices. This research will also advance discovery while promoting teaching and learning through research opportunities for undergraduates, recruiting of graduate students into a highly interdisciplinary research program, incorporation of the project results in the courses taught by the PIs in different departments/institutions, and annual joint seminars by Virginia Tech, College of William and Mary, and Restek Corporation on micro gas chromatography and novel stationary phases.