Laboratory for the Development and Application of Advanced Functional Polymeric Materials

DG提出的这项研究旨在开发可用于解决人类健康和环境问题的新材料。为了实现这一目标，我们将开发以下新技术：1)检测疾病的分子指标；2)以受控和触发的方式向系统提供小分子疗法；3)举重和启动以响应环境触发；4)使用来自可再生资源的纤维从受污染的水中去除有机和重金属污染物。这些技术将通过修改聚合物和基于聚合物的系统的化学来开发，以产生给定的功能。具体地说，该小组开发了由聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺)水凝胶颗粒(微凝胶)制成的具有视觉色彩的分层材料。从2009年开始，我们对这项技术进行了修改，使其可以用于检测小DNA序列。在一个例子中，DG提出的部分工作将集中在检测DNA的新方法上，允许检测到长(100个碱基长)的DNA。这对于实现上面的第一点将是重要的。我们还展示了同样的技术可以用来控制小分子的释放和输送到不同的系统。在这个DG中，我们将进一步开发技术，以获得更精细的传递特性控制，发展到这些设备可以被涂覆到医疗设备上，从而能够释放能够预防植入物和植入过程引起的感染的治疗药物。最后，我们的材料可以用作人工肌肉和执行器，对外部刺激做出反应而触发。我们的肌肉比人类更强壮。这个DG将专注于将这项技术转化为响应电场、磁场和电磁(光)场的装置。这些设备还将用于将小分子治疗药物输送到各种系统(包括生物系统)等。该小组的努力还将集中于进一步开发我们的基于聚合物的技术，以去除水中的小分子和重金属污染物(即水修复)。对于这个DG，我们将集中精力开发由可再生资源获得的纤维制成的聚合物基材料。此外，我们亦会全面研究这些物料的可循环再用情况。将利用这里要求的DG资金，寻求多种其他研究途径。例如，我们将对基于聚合物的致动器进行改进，以便它们可以用于检测感兴趣的分子。此外，我们还将研究层状材料的电学性质，并将其与感兴趣的分子的浓度相关联。在另一个例子中，我们将开发可用于皮肤癌诊断的新型微凝胶。所有项目都集中在解决健康和环境问题上。

The research proposed in this DG is aimed at developing novel materials that can be used to solve human health and environmental problems. To accomplish this, we will develop new technologies capable of: 1) detecting molecular indicators of disease; 2) delivering small molecule therapeutics to systems in a controlled and triggered fashion; 3) lifting weights and actuating in response to environmental triggers; 4) removing organic and heavy metal contaminants from contaminated water using fibers from renewable resources. These technologies will be developed by modification of the chemistry of polymers and polymer-based systems to yield a given function. Specifically, the group has developed layered materials made of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel particles (microgels) that exhibit visual color. Beginning in 2009, we have modified this technology such that it can be used to detect small DNA sequences. In one example, part of the work proposed in this DG will focus on new ways to detect DNA, allowing long (100 bases long) DNA to be detected. This will be important for achieving point 1 above. We also showed that the same technology could be used to control the release and delivery of small molecules to various systems. In this DG, we will further develop the technology to gain finer control of the delivery characteristics, moving to the point where these devices can be coated onto medical devices, which can release therapeutic drugs capable of preventing infections induced by implants and implantation procedures. Finally, our materials can be used as artificial muscles and actuators that are triggered in response to external stimuli. Our muscles are stronger pound-for-pound than humans. This DG will focus on turning this technology into devices that actuate in response electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic (light) fields. These devices will also be used to deliver small molecule therapeutic drugs to a variety of systems (including biological), among other things. The group's efforts will also focus on further developing our polymer-based technologies for removing small molecule and heavy metal contaminants from water (i.e., water remediation). For this DG, we will focus our efforts on developing polymer-based materials made from fibers obtained from renewable resources. A comprehensive study of the recyclability and reusability of the materials will also be undertaken. Multiple other avenues of research will be pursued with the DG funds requested here. For example, our polymer-based actuators will be modified such that they can be used for detecting molecules of interest. Furthermore, electrical properties of our layered materials will be investigated, and correlated with the concentration of a molecule of interest. In another example, we will develop novel microgels that can be used for diagnosing skin cancer. All projects are focused on solving health and environmental problems.