Nonequilibrium Materials Synthesis: Understanding and Controlling the Formation of Hierarchically Structured Microtubes

非平衡材料合成：理解和控制分层结构微管的形成

• 批准号: 1005861
• 负责人: Oliver Steinbock
• 金额: $ 22.5万
• 依托单位: Florida State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-15 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1005861&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Nonequilibrium; Materials; Synthesis; Understanding; Controlling

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis project focuses on inorganic, tubular materials formed during spatially controlled reaction processes. These hollow tubes have inner radii 1-100 µm and result from the precipitation of amorphous silica and metal hydroxides. The overall phenomenon is not well understood and its potential as a model case for system-level materials science widely unexplored. Under this grant, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry program of the Division of Materials Research, the PI will develop a pressure-controlled reactor system to produce millimeter-long microtubes with radii of down to 1 µm. In addition, the size and shape of these microtubes will be controlled using variable electric fields and pressure changes. Another central goal is to nano-engineer the physico-chemical characteristics of the tube wall by binding, trapping and adsorbing a variety of molecules and particles. Moreover, the group will integrate tubes into microfluidic devices where they will add functionalities such as enhanced separation regions, chemical sensors, and catalytic processing stations. These experimental projects will be complemented by modeling efforts that aim to develop a reaction-transport model capable of capturing key aspects of the large-scale growth dynamics based on the precipitation kinetics, diffusion, and advection processes. An important part of the broader impact of this project is to communicate its key ideas and results to non-experts. The project will pursue this goal through a multi-faceted video outreach program. In addition, it will advance the education of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students at the Florida State University.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYModern technologies produce materials and devices in ways that differ fundamentally from the strategies employed by biological systems. These differences are the likely explanation as to why materials with hierarchical architectures and self-healing features tend to elute conventional engineering approaches but are abundant in biology. A key question in this context is how chemical reactions can cause the formation of complex structures that are thousands to millions times larger than the individual molecules. The project will tackle this big question by studying inorganic reactions that are known to produce hollow tubes. The diameter and length of these rigid structures is comparable to human hair but can also be significantly thinner. The tube walls typically consist of amorphous silica (porous glass) and metal hydroxides or oxides, which create interesting catalytic and optical properties. If successful, this research will (i) result in quantitative models of nano-to-macro growth processes, (ii) provide reactor systems that can shape the tubes during growth, (iii) demonstrate chemical modifications of the wall material that introduce chemical sensing and/or processing capabilities, (iv) explore applications towards uses in microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip technologies. The project also aims to communicate its scientific ideas and results to non-experts. The intriguing life-like appearance and overall visual appeal of the basic phenomenon will greatly assist in this effort. Specific plans include targeted video outreach through FSU's Global Educational Outreach Program, Podcasts, and popular websites such as YouTube. In addition, the project will advance the education of several undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students. The PI will also continue his commitment to involve underrepresented groups and participate in programs that aim to increase their leadership roles in research and academia.

技术摘要该项目重点研究在空间控制反应过程中形成的无机管状材料，这些空心管的内半径为 1-100 µm，是由无定形二氧化硅和金属氢氧化物的沉淀产生的。在这项资助下，由 PI 材料研究部的固态和材料化学项目支持，系统级材料科学的模型案例得到了广泛的探索。将开发压力控制反应器系统，以生产半径低至 1 µm 的毫米长微管。此外，将使用可变电场和压力变化来控制这些微管的尺寸和形状。通过结合、捕获和吸附各种分子和颗粒来设计管壁的物理化学特性。此外，该小组将管子放入微流体装置中，在其中添加增强的分离区域、化学物质等功能。这些实验项目将得到建模工作的补充，旨在开发一种能够捕获基于降水动力学、扩散和平流过程的大规模增长动态的关键方面的反应传输模型。该项目更广泛影响的一个重要部分是向非专家传达其关键想法和结果，该项目将通过多方面的视频推广计划来实现这一目标，此外，它将促进本科生、研究生和学生的教育。佛罗里达大学博士后学生州立大学非技术摘要现代技术生产材料和设备的方式与生物系统采用的策略根本不同，这些差异可能解释了为什么具有分层结构和自修复功能的材料往往会淘汰传统的工程方法。在生物学中，一个关键问题是化学反应如何导致比单个分子大数千至数百万倍的复杂结构的形成，该项目将通过研究已知产生的无机反应来解决这个大问题。空洞的这些刚性结构的直径和长度与人的头发相当，但管壁通常由无定形二氧化硅（多孔玻璃）和金属氢氧化物或氧化物组成，如果成功的话，它们会产生有趣的催化和光学特性。 ，这项研究将（i）产生纳米到宏观生长过程的定量模型，（ii）提供可以在生长过程中塑造管子的反应器系统，（iii）演示引入化学传感的壁材料的化学修饰和/或处理能力，（iv）探索微流体和芯片实验室技术的应用，该项目还旨在向非专家传达其有趣的逼真外观和整体视觉效果。基本现象的吸引力将极大地促进这一努力，具体计划包括通过佛罗里达州立大学的全球教育推广计划、播客和 YouTube 等热门网站进行有针对性的视频推广。此外，该项目还将促进一些本科生、研究生和博士后的教育。学生们。还将继续致力于让代表性不足的群体参与进来，并参与旨在增强其在研究和学术界领导作用的计划。