Coatings for Light-Actuated Nanoscale Topography

该项目的研究目标是开发用于光中介控制表面涂层形状的聚合化学。这项对一类新型单体和聚合物涂层的全面研究将在纳米和微结构领域提供新的见解和新的能力，这些结构可以随光而改变形状。我们期待这一材料化学领域的发展能够在许多几何复杂的驱动模式下选择性地沉积厚度可控的薄膜，这是传统的溶液浇注方法所无法实现的，从而克服了与这类令人兴奋的材料相关的主要技术障碍。这项研究的方法将是：1)使用计算方法通过实验合成和表征材料来评估所提出的材料的行为，以合理地设计一类新的光响应单体；2)评估涂层形成的速度和空间控制；3)阐明这些涂层在复杂的纳米级几何形状上的驱动原理。如果成功，这项研究将弥合二维可执行材料与各种设备中的应用之间的差距，如人工肌肉运动、可切换的表面粘合和定向流体流动。研究生将通过这项研究的实施而得到培训。本科生将与这个项目和肯塔基大学现有的本科生研究经验项目一起接受培训。计算工作还将纳入位于肯塔基州的非博士学位授予机构正在进行的外联活动。私人投资促进机构将继续吸引和留住来自代表人数不足的少数群体的合格本科生和研究生研究人员，以推进拟议的工作。最后，这项工作支持为地方和国家汽车制造设施的涂装专业人员开发表面表征和分析方面的教育计划。

The research objective of this project is to develop polymerization chemistry for light-mediated control of the shape of a surface coating. This comprehensive study of a new class of monomers and polymer coatings will provide new insights and new capabilities in the field of nano- and micro-structures that change shape in response to light. We expect the development of this field of materials chemistry to enable the selective deposition of controlled-thickness films over many geometrically-complex actuation modes not currently accessible with traditional solution casting methods, overcoming a major technological hurdle associated with this exciting class of materials. The approach of this research will be to 1) use computational methods to evaluate the behavior of the proposed materials with experimental synthesis and characterization of the materials to rationally design a new class of light-responsive monomers, 2) evaluate speed and spatial control over coating formation, and 3) elucidate the governing principles of actuation of these coatings over complex nanoscale geometries.If successful, this research will bridge the gap between two-dimensional actuatable materials and applications in devices as varied as artificial muscle motion, switchable surface adhesion, and directed fluid flow. Graduate students will be trained through the execution of this research. Undergraduate students will be trained in association with this project and an existing Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the University of Kentucky. The computational effort will also integrate into ongoing outreach activities at Kentucky-based non-PhD granting institutions. The PIs will continue to attract and retain qualified undergraduate and graduate researchers from underrepresented minorities for the advancement of the proposed work. Finally, this work supports the development of an educational program in surface characterization and analysis for painting professionals at local and national automotive manufacturing facilities.