Characterization Triad for Advanced Analysis of Charged Polymers, Capsules and Surfaces
Abstract
We request funding for the purchase of a tightly integrated triad of tools to characterize the charged polymers, colloids, hydrogels, and organogels currently under investigation by the PIs of the Adaptive Self-assembled Systems: Exploiting Multifunctionality for Bottom-up Large-scale Engineering (ASSEMBLE) ARO MURI. The three specific requested tools include a surface zeta potential system, a trace water analyzer, and an isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC). The data provided by these tools will be used to greatly enhance the understanding of the impact of surface charges on colloidal and polymer self-assembly, ion exchange in polymers, and photo-triggered isomerizations between uncharged and zwitterionic functional groups (the leading chemistries of the ASSEMBLE team). It is also important to note that these capabilities are not currently available at Illinois. The requested tools will be placed within the Center of Excellence in Soft Materials, which is part of the Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) characterization facilities, providing a mechanism to maintain the tools and provide training to new users. As part of the MRL facilities, the tools will be made available to the campus community, however, the Braun, Nuzzo, and Rogers groups (the ASSEMBLE co-PIs at Illinois) will retain priority access, to ensure that work relevant to the ARO MURI is prioritized. The ASSEMBLE MURI team is inspired by the unparalleled ability of biological systems to translate stimuli from the environment into meaningful actions, e.g., move toward sunlight, change appearance, or run from predators. This adaptive behavior is enabled in part by: (1) a musculoskeletal system that provides support and allows movement; (2) a nervous system that propagates information; and (3) a metabolism that transduces energy to enable functionality. To date, there are no synthetic materials systems that seamlessly integrate analogous components to perform the concerted functionality that is the hallmark of living organisms. In particular, we are currently unable to fabricate hierarchically organized materials systems that display complex functional integration and robust reconfiguration. As a path to addressing this shortcoming, we are utilizing synthesis, characterization, self-assembly, and additive manufacturing to create materials systems that combine rudimentary ÒmusclesÓ, ÒbonesÓ, ÒnervesÓ, sensors, and energy transduction approaches to adapt to external cues via reconfiguration and optimization of thermal, optical, and physicochemical properties. As we move through the second year of this MURI, it is becoming increasingly obvious that understanding interactions of charged polymers and charged colloids is critical to realization of our goals, and the proposed triad of equipment will be central to enabling this. With the addition of the requested three specialized tools, we will be well suited to probe complex phenomena and develop new insights relevant to the MURI project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010122
Entities
People
- Paul V Braun
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign