Collaborative Proposal:RUI: Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanopores for Motion Control of Biologically Important Molecules and Ions and Undergraduate Training in Nanopore Transport

来自Ursinus学院的Mark Ellison博士和麻省理工学院的Michael Strano博士获得了化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学计划的奖项，以研究离子和生物相关分子通过单壁碳纳米管的运动。 使用在麻省理工学院制造的纳米管纳米孔设备，他们正在进行实验，以研究这些系统的基本特性，并评估它们在纳米级检测和控制离子和分子流动方面的有用性。 这项研究将纳米孔运动的知识扩展到几个重要领域，包括氨基酸和小中性分子。 该研究还增强了我们对纳米孔性质的作用的理解，例如孔口处的官能团和纳米孔表面电荷对离子和分子通过纳米孔的运动的影响。 这项研究的结果提供了纳米管纳米孔的基础知识，并朝着在实际设备中利用它们迈出了重要的一步。参与这些项目的Ursinus学院的本科研究人员获得了各种科学技能。 首先，他们获得了在纳米科学方面进行实验的重要经验。 他们还培养了制定，测试和修改科学假设的能力。 此外，Ursinus学生从与麻省理工学院的合作中受益匪浅，其中包括访问麻省理工学院，在那里进行高级研究仪器的实验。 参与这项研究的学生将成为训练有素的年轻科学家，拥有解决各种科学问题的工具。

Dr. Mark Ellison from Ursinus College and Dr. Michael Strano from MIT are supported by an award from the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry to investigate the motion of ions and biologically relevant molecules through single-walled carbon nanotubes. Using nanotube nanopore devices fabricated at MIT, they are conducting experiments to study fundamental properties of these systems and to assess their usefulness for the nanoscale detection and control of the flow of ions and molecules. This research extends the knowledge of motion through nanopores to several important areas, including amino acids and small neutral molecules. The research also enhances our understanding of the role of nanopore properties, such as the effects of functional groups at the pore mouth and nanopore surface charge on the motion of ions and molecules through nanopores. The results of this research provide foundational knowledge of nanotube nanopores and take an important step toward utilizing them in practical devices.The undergraduate researchers at Ursinus College involved in these projects attain a variety of scientific skills. First, they obtain significant experience conducting experiments in nanoscience. They also develop their abilities to formulate, test, and revise scientific hypotheses. Additionally, the Ursinus students significantly benefit from the collaboration with MIT, which includes visits to MIT to conduct experiments with the high-grade research instrumentation there. Students involved in this research will emerge as well-trained young scientists with the tools to approach a wide range of scientific questions.