项目编号: | 1703322
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项目名称: | Photocatalytic Active Matter |
作者: | John Gibbs
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承担单位: | Northern Arizona University
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批准年: | 2017
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开始日期: | 2017-08-01
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结束日期: | 2019-07-31
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资助金额: | 132900
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资助来源: | US-NSF
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项目类别: | Standard Grant
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国家: | US
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语种: | 英语
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特色学科分类: | Engineering - Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
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英文关键词: | active matter
; particle
; self-assembly
; active particle
; research project
; example
; research
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英文摘要: | Active matter is matter composed of particles that can convert energy into motion. Examples of active matter are schools of fish, flocks of birds, and bacteria. Most examples of active matter are biological in origin, but presently there is a significant amount of research into synthetic systems. This concept is of interest because of the potential for controllable and reversible assembly of larger structures, for the triggered capture, delivery, and release of cargo such as drugs, and for using it as a tool for understanding biological processes that are out of equilibrium. This proposal aims to identify and develop methods for moving and manipulating nanometer-to-micron sized active particles in fluids. For example, active spherical particles can be produced by coating one hemisphere with a chemical that can react with another compound dissolved in the fluid. Since the uncoated hemisphere is inert, the particle has a preferred direction of motion related to the varying concentration of the dissolved chemical. However, systems such as this cannot easily be switched on and off; if the fuel is present, the particles remain active and moving. This research project is exploring a novel system that can be switched on and off through illumination by light. Special fabrication methods are being used to produce light-activated particles with complex shapes in order to identify the role shape has in how active particles move and assemble into larger structures. Significant features of this research project are that both graduate and undergraduate students are deeply involved in the research and that aspects of the research are being incorporated into an undergraduate laboratory class. The researchers involved in this project are bringing project-related demonstrations to Hopi High School on the Hopi Reservation in Northern Arizona in an effort to engage students in science who are underrepresented in STEM fields.
Active colloids have received considerable attention recently, but a number of questions remain unanswered regarding the mechanisms of motion and particle self-assembly. In addition, the realization of functional nanomachines, for example for cargo delivery, is still in its infancy. This research project aims to study a photocatalytically active system, in which the activity may be easily switched on and off. Specialized fabrication techniques, based on glancing angle deposition (GLAD), are being used to produce active colloidal particles with complex shapes and material compositions. These anisotropic particles are being used to gain insight into how to control particle motion and to investigate the role of shape in self-assembly of the particles. This system of photocatalytic active particles of various shapes may make possible new applications and a deeper understanding of propulsion at the nanoscale. Ultimately, the researchers intend to control the pick-up and release of cargo at the mesoscale using the self-assembly of these active particles. The research project also includes a significant educational and outreach component, including the development of a nanoscience based course, a new experimental module for an undergraduate lab course, and the involvement of Native American students from Northern Arizona. |
资源类型: | 项目
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标识符: | http://119.78.100.158/handle/2HF3EXSE/89641
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Appears in Collections: | 全球变化的国际研究计划 科学计划与规划
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Recommended Citation: |
John Gibbs. Photocatalytic Active Matter. 2017-01-01.
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