Stimuli-Responsive Soft Materials

刺激响应软材料

基本信息

批准号：
1921578
负责人：
Narayana Aluru
金额：
$ 39.83万
依托单位：
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2020-01-01 至 2021-09-30
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1921578&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Stimuli Responsive Soft Materials

项目摘要

Oil and water don't mix and exist as two separate phases of matter. Phase separation of soft matter mixtures such as lipids, oil and water can be exploited to create lipid coated droplets or soft particles. Two soft particles can self-assemble with a lipid bilayer connecting the two soft particles. The soft particle composition can also include more complex matter such as polymers. When a biological ion channel is incorporated into one of the soft particles, it self-assembles into the lipid bilayer forming a communication channel, where, for example, water and ions can be exchanged between the soft particles, and the exchange can be modulated by an external stimulus such as an electric field, mechanical force, pH, etc. In addition to creating a platform for exchange of contents between the two soft particles, the external stimulus can also induce mechanical deformations in the soft particles. Self-assembled soft particles can enable sensing of external stimuli, creation of synthetic cell-like structures, compartmentalized reactions and other important functions. In spite of tremendous technological impact of self-assembled soft particles, the mechanics of the self-assembly process, complex deformations of soft particles under various stimuli, and the functionality of ion channels beyond what is already known in biology are not clear. This project will train next generation scientists to develop fundamental insights into mechanics of stimuli-responsive soft materials. This award will also support inclusion of undergraduate students in research and education, engagement of women and minority students, and outreach to K-12 students.This research aims to understand the mechanics of self-assembly and functionality of stimuli-responsive soft materials. Specifically, detailed atomistic calculations will be performed to understand the molecular mechanics of the self-assembly process, mechanical behavior of stimuli-responsive soft materials, and complex interactions between soft particles when they interact via ion channels. To understand the mechanics of larger size soft particles, coarse-grained calculations, based on the iterative Boltzmann inversion technique, will be performed. To compute macroscopic properties of stimuli-responsive soft materials, multiscale calculations integrating phenomena at various length scales will be performed. In addition to developing fundamental knowledge, various applications of stimuli-responsive soft materials will be investigated. It is anticipated that this project will not only lead to significant advances in mechanics of stimuli-responsive soft materials but also enable studies of ion channels beyond their known functionality in biology.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

石油和水不混合，并作为物质的两个单独阶段存在。可以利用软物质混合物（例如脂质，油和水）的相位分离来产生脂质涂层液滴或软颗粒。两个软颗粒可以使用连接两个软颗粒的脂质双层自组装。软颗粒组成还可以包括更复杂的物质，例如聚合物。当将生物离子通道纳入其中一个软颗粒中时，它会自组装到形成通信通道的脂质双层中，例如，可以在软颗粒之间交换水和离子，并且可以通过调节交换。外部刺激，例如电场，机械力，pH等。除了在两个软粒子之间建立一个含量的平台外，外部刺激还可以诱导软颗粒中的机械变形。自组装的软颗粒可以实现外部刺激，形成合成细胞样结构，分隔反应和其他重要功能。尽管自我组装的软颗粒对自我组装过程的机制，各种刺激下的软颗粒的复杂变形以及生物学中已经知道的超出已知的离子通道的功能尚不清楚。该项目将培训下一代科学家，以发展刺激响应软材料机制的基本见解。该奖项还将支持将本科生在研究和教育中，妇女和少数族裔学生的敬业度以及向K-12学生推广。这项研究旨在了解刺激性反应性软材料的自我组装和功能的机制。具体而言，将进行详细的原子计算，以了解自组装过程的分子力学，刺激反应性软材料的力学行为以及通过离子通道相互作用时软颗粒之间的复杂相互作用。为了了解较大尺寸软颗粒的力学，将进行基于迭代玻尔兹曼反转技术的粗粒度计算。为了计算刺激响应软材料的宏观特性，将进行多尺度计算，以各种长度尺度整合现象。除了发展基本知识外，还将研究刺激反应性软材料的各种应用。可以预见的是，该项目不仅会导致刺激响应性软材料力学的重大进展，而且还可以对生物学中已知功能的离子渠道进行研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为值得通过评估获得支持。利用基金会的知识分子和更广泛的影响审查标准。