Biosensing micro-nanostructured tools and materials

1066898 Gracias生物化学传感与机械致动相结合在自然界中被广泛观察到，并且能够实现具有高选择性和特异性的自主功能，并且不需要任何电线或电池。然而，这一概念尚未实现在人体工程学在很大程度上依赖于机电致动方案。该提案的重点是开发微纳米结构的工具和材料，这些工具和材料可以感知生物化学物质并根据它们自主重新配置。该策略的基本要素是基于化学机械致动的生物学启发的概念创建生物感测铰链，其中化学感测事件引起机械响应而不需要任何电线、系绳、电池或电力。这一概念将与微米和纳米级图案化结合使用，以实现功能性，智能小型化设备和材料的创建，这些设备和材料价格低廉，可以大规模生产，并且不消耗电力。因此，这些功能结构可以部署在许多环境中，包括难以到达的地方和长时间（不需要充电），以增强生物医学，芯片实验室和安全应用的设备和材料的能力。沿着的研究，重大的努力将致力于加强更广泛的教育，包括本科生的研究经验，并暴露K-12学生，教师和公众的科学和工程的前沿，特别是在生物启发的传感模式通过研究经验，研讨会，公开讲座和万维网的领域。此外，还将开展活动，通过促进与巴尔的摩公立学校系统的联系，提高来自科学和工程领域代表性不足的群体的K-12学生的参与。

1066898GraciasBiochemical sensing coupled with mechanical actuation is widely observed in nature and enables autonomous function with high selectivity and specificity and without the need for any electrical wires or batteries. However, this concept has yet to be realized in human engineering which relies heavily on electromechanical actuation schemes. This proposal is focused on the development of micro-nanostructured tools and materials that sense biochemicals and autonomously reconfigure in response to them. A fundamental element of the strategy is the creation of biosensing hinges which are based on the biologically inspired concept of chemo-mechanical actuation wherein chemical sensing events elicit mechanical responses without the need for any wires, tethers, batteries or electrical power. This concept will be utilized in combination with micro and nanoscale patterning to enable the creation of functional, smart miniaturized devices and materials that are inexpensive, can be mass produced and do not consume electrical power. Hence, these functional structures can be deployed in a number of environments including hard-to-reach places and over long periods of time (without the need for electrical charging) to enhance the capabilities of devices and materials for biomedical, lab-on-a-chip and security applications. Along with the research, significant efforts will be directed at enhancing broader education by the inclusion of undergraduate students in research experiences and exposing K-12 students, teachers and the public to the frontiers of science and engineering, specifically in the area of biologically inspired sensing modalities via research experiences, workshops, public lectures and the world wide web. In addition, activities will be created to enhance participation of K-12 students from groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering by fostering connections with the Baltimore public school system.