DURIP In Situ Investigation of Synergistic Assembly Processes in Biopolymers to Design Environmentally Responsive Materials
Abstract
Program Officer Dr. Kristy Hentchel, Agency Directorate 342Publicly releasableResearch problem Hierarchical architectures decoratedwith multifunctional nano and microornamentations are ubiquitous in nature and their replica in synthetic systems play a pivotal role in designing materials with enhanced surface and bulk properties for energy generation and storage, ISR, antifouling, underwater adhesion, and microrobotics. Fabrication of materials that mimic natural systems has been based on the integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches by a combination of self-assembly # directed by locally controlled chemical, physical and mechanical cues # withadditive manufacturing. These strategies regulate fabrication at the nano and microscale but lack process control at the mesoscale (100nm-10µm), resulting in lack of performance when compared to the natural counterparts. The interplay of physical phenomena that modulate composition-structure-function properties and assembly phenomena at the mesoscale are also rarely investigated, mostly due the development of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques that privilege either the micro or the nanoscale. This is surprising as at the mesoscale cells operate to build biological materials by directing their assembly and re-arranging extracellular matrices, thus in situ investigation of mesoscale phenomena that link structural molecular changes in nanomaterials with assembly processes can be used to define universal fabrication rules that enable the next generation of hierarchically mesostructured materials. Technical approaches The aim of this program is to address this need by using a multiphoton confocal microscope that integrates coherent Raman scattering microscopy to visualize and measure the dynamic processes that govern the nexus between folding and assembly in structural proteins-based materials. The resulting multiphoton confocal coherent Raman scattering microscope (MPC2RSM) allows to measure and visualize with sub-micrometer spatial resolution (down to 150nm), in wet conditions, and with a time resolution of milliseconds, dynamic folding and assembly phenomena in proteinaceous materials. This new capability will enable the development of models that can predict protein assembly as well as providing a new way to investigate driving forces responsible for spontaneous and directed hierarchical organization in structural proteins at the mesoscale. Using silk fibroin as model for structural proteins and synergistic assembly techniques to impart cooperative fabrication of nanoscale materials in cm-scale mesoarchitectures, the proposed project will focus on investigating the fundamental principles that govern the formation of silk fibroin mesostructures with a MPC2RSM.Anticipated outcome We anticipate the following program outcomes: (i) Mechanistic understanding of structural proteins assembly in mesostructured materials; (ii) Definition of universal rules that describe structural proteins folding and assembly in mesostructured materials; (ii) Definition of a new paradigm in materials manufacturing where phenomena at the mesoscale regulate the formation of microscalearchitectures of increasing complexity.Impact on DoD capabilitiesThe fundamental knowledge acquired through this research program will be ancillary for the definition of unprecedented nano and micromanufacturing techniques to engineer mesostructured materials with foreseen applications in: 1) shock-absorbing materials, 2) compartmentalized materials and 3) fractionated material, 4) adhesives,5) filtration and barrier, which could impact a wide range of applications of interest to the ONR. Augmented mechanical properties,under-water adhesives, predefined porosity, control over crystalline and amorphous domains, hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions and charge distribution could improve the performance of ships vessels and aircrafts as well as open new opportunities in close-in ISRsystems for situation awareness
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 11, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412265
Entities
People
- Benedetto Marelli
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy