A tri-function particle system for polymer/nanoparticle characterization

聚合物分子量（Mw）和流体动力学尺寸以及纳米粒子的zeta电位的表征对我们的NSERC支持的研究项目非常重要。到目前为止，UNB还没有这种仪器或能够测量聚合物的绝对Mw和纳米范围内的粒度的等效类型。迫切需要所要求的工具，以确保我们的研究有效进行。传统的粒度缺乏检测Mw的能力。然而，最近上市的三功能颗粒表征系统（BIC）和Zetasizer Nano系统（马尔文）克服了这一限制。BIC系统的价格合理（约75，600美元），非常适合我们研究的需求。由肖博士和Eic博士领导的六个NSERC研究项目将立即受益于这样一个系统的收购。所要求的仪器对于与阳离子星星聚合物作为基因传递载体和抗菌聚合物或生物活性纸产品的纳米胶囊相关的项目将是非常有价值的。 如果没有这些设备，研究成果的质量和这些项目研究目标的进展可能会受到严重影响或危害。 相反，获得这一系统的好处将不仅限于申请人，而且将通过培训研究生和大西洋各省的其他研究人员使用设备得到进一步加强。

The characterization of polymer molecular weight (Mw) and hydrodynamic size as well as the zeta-potential of the nanoparticles is of great importance to our NSERC-supported research projects. To date, there is no such instrument or an equivalent type capable of measuring the absolute Mw of polymers and particle size in nanometer range available at UNB. There is an urgent need for the requested instrument to ensure our research proceeds effectively. Traditional particle size lacks the capability to detect Mw. However, the tri-function particle characterization system (BIC) and Zetasizer Nano system (Malvern) recently came on the market overcome this limitation. The BIC system, available at a reasonable cost (about $75,600), is very well suited to the needs of our research. Six NSERC research projects led by Drs Xiao and Eic will benefit immediately from the acquisition of such a system. The instrument requested will be extremely valuable for the projects related to cationic star polymers as vehicles for gene delivery and antimicrobial polymers or nano-capsules for bioactive paper products.  Without this equipment, the quality of the research outcomes and progress toward the research objectives for these projects could be severely compromised or jeopardized.  On the contrary, the benefits of acquiring this system will not be limited to the applicants, but will be further enhanced through the training of graduate students and use of the equipment by other researchers in the Atlantic Provinces.