High aspect ratio, densely populated, pillar arrays for separations

在化学系化学测量和成像项目的支持下，田纳西大学诺克斯维尔的Michael Sepaniak教授和他的团队将解决创建用于化学分离的柱阵列（PACS）的挑战，这些柱阵列用作小型化液相分离系统。用于制造高纵横比支柱的原始处理序列产生机械上坚固的系统。 重要的是，所实现的高度有序的柱阵列中的特征形态可扩展到纳米尺寸。因此，在封闭的压力驱动或开放的毛细管作用驱动模式下操作的流体结构提供了在分离效率和渗透性方面相对于传统的填充柱和整体柱以及传统的薄层色谱板的实质性改进的潜力。 常规分离系统中的孔隙率和纳米级形态通常是随机的，因此，形态不均匀性和相关的传质问题在谱带加宽中起重要作用。相反，PACS为分离介质提供了一种替代方法，具有精确控制的纳米和微米级结构。在纳米流体系统的保留机制的新见解。此外，先进的光刻技术将首次用于创建适用于高性能开放格式、2-D空间分离的均匀支柱结构。除了该提案的科学目标外，一个基本目标是向年轻研究人员介绍跨学科科学和技术，包括微加工和纳米技术，表面特性研究以及分离，流体学和超低容量检测/成像的新仪器方法的开发。招募少数民族和传播研究成果的努力将利用我们以前的NSF计划和Sepaniak与波多黎各大学合作等计划的经验。 最后，一个推广教育的组成部分，包括夏季研究经验的游客，强调把地区高中师生组合到UT校园。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Michael Sepaniak at University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his group will tackle the challenges of creating pillar arrays for chemical separations (PACS) that function as miniaturized liquid phase separation systems. An original processing sequence for the fabrication of high aspect ratio pillars yields mechanically robust systems. Importantly, the characteristic morphologies in the implemented highly ordered pillar arrays are scalable to nanometer dimensions. Thus the fluidic structures, operated in enclosed pressure-driven or open capillary action-driven modes, offer the potential for substantial improvements in separation efficiency and permeability over traditional packed and monolithic columns, as well as traditional thin layer chromatography plates. Porosity and nanoscale morphology in conventional separation systems is generally random and, therefore, morphological heterogeneity and related mass transfer issues play a significant role in band broadening. Conversely, PACS provides an alternative approach to separation media with precisely controlled nano- and micro-scale architectures. New insights into the retention mechanisms in nanoscale fluidic systems are expected. Moreover, advanced lithographic techniques will be used to create for the first time uniform pillar structures suitable for high performance open format, 2-D spatial separations. In addition to the scientific objectives of this proposal, an underpinning goal is to introduce young researchers to cross-disciplinary science and technology ranging from microfabrication and nanotechnology, studies of surface properties, and the development of new instrumental approaches to separations, fluidics, and ultra low volume detection/imaging. Efforts to recruit minorities and disseminate research results will be leveraged by prior experience with programs such as our prior NSF programs and Sepaniak's collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico. Finally, an outreach educational component is included that involves summer research experiences for visitors which emphasizes bringing area high school teacher-student combinations to the UT campus.