Designing Aqueous Porous Liquids for in vivo Gas Absorption
Abstract
The proposed research targets a revolutionary class of materials#aqueous fluids with permanent microporosity#that possess both intrinsic porosity and fluidity, affording liquids with extremely high gas absorption capacities. By dispersing microporous nanoparticles with specially selected internal surface chemistries in aqueous media, thermodynamically stable micropores in excess of 10 vol % can be introduced to water without compromising the fluidity of the overall solution. Already, candidate microporous fluids developed in our lab have demonstrated gas capacities greatly exceeding even that of a pure gas phase, while possessing low viscosities. Furthermore, these solutions display extremely rapid gas exchange kinetics and excellent reversibility, as well as stabilities even in harshly acidic conditions. To translate this concept into a biological setting, however, surface modification is needed to improve biocompatibility. Lately, zwitterions have been proposed as anti-fouling coatings to help reduce immunogenicity. Recently, the Translational Research Lab (TRL) at Boston Children#s Hospital has successfully leveraged this principle to dramatically reduce the cell uptake of a medically used biopolymer. In a collaborative effort, we aim to use a novel zwitterionic polymer to passivate the surface of our most stable microporous nanocrystals with the goal of notably improving their biocompatibility. By investigating and optimizing the safety of these materials, we seek to lay the foundations for a unique approach to designing porous aqueous fluids for in vitro and in vivo uses, including decompression sickness treatment by facilitating N2 removal prior to bubble formation. Successful materials are expected to open new areas of research within biological gas absorption and storage and provide insights relevant to use in biological systems. This research will contribute to new applications of particular importance to the ONR and DoD, including the treatment of decompression sickness in deep sea diving, toxic gas removal, and high-density gas storage. This research effort will be led by Professor Jarad A. Mason in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, and Dr. Yifeng Peng in the Harvard Medical School and the Department of Cardiology at Boston Children#s Hospital will serve as a co-PI. The proposal title is: #Designing Aqueous Porous Liquids for in vivo Gas Absorption#. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312550
Entities
People
- Jarad A Mason
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- President and Fellows of Harvard College
- United States Navy