Home > Press > Electrostatic force takes charge in bioinspired polymers
Inspired by the principles of natural polymer synthesis, Illinois chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Charles Sing, left, and graduate students Jason Madinya and Tyler Lytle co-authored a study that found they could create new synthetic materials by tuning the electrostatic charge of polymer chains. CREDIT Photo by L. Brian Stauffer |
Abstract:
Researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have taken the first steps toward gaining control over the self-assembly of synthetic materials in the same way that biology forms natural polymers. This advance could prove useful in designing new bioinspired, smart materials for applications ranging from drug delivery to sensing to remediation of environmental contaminants.
Proteins, which are natural polymers, use amino acid building blocks to link together long molecular chains. The specific location of these building blocks, called monomers, within these chains creates sequences that dictate a polymer's structure and function. In the journal Nature Communications, the researchers describe how to utilize the concept of monomer sequencing to control polymer structure and function by taking advantage of a property present in both natural and synthetic polymers - electrostatic charge.
"Proteins encode information through a precise sequence of monomers. However, this precise control over sequence is much harder to control in synthetic polymers, so there has been a limit to the quality and amount of information that can be stored," said Charles Sing, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Illinois and a study co-author. "Instead, we can control the charge placement along the synthetic polymer chains to drive self-assembly processes."
"Our study focuses on a class of polymers, called coacervates, that separate like oil and water and form a gel-like substance," said Sarah Perry, a study co-author and University of Massachusetts, Amherst chemical engineering professor, as well as an Illinois alumna.
Through a series of experiments and computer simulations, the researchers found that the properties of the resulting charged gels can be tuned by changing the sequence of charges along the polymer chain.
"Manufacturers commonly use coacervates in cosmetics and food products to encapsulate flavors and additives, and as a way of controlling the 'feel' of the product," Sing said. "The challenge has been if they need to change the texture or the thickness, they would have to change the material being used."
Sing and Perry demonstrate that they can rearrange the structure of the polymer chains by tuning their charge to engineer the desired properties. "This is how biology makes the endless diversity of life with only a small number of molecular building blocks," Perry said. "We envision bringing this bioinspiration concept full circle by using coacervates in biomedical and environmental applications."
The results of this research open a tremendous number of opportunities to expand the diversity of polymers used and the scale of applications, the researchers said. "Currently, we are working with materials on the macro scale - things that we can see and touch," Sing said. "We hope to expand this concept into the realm of nanotechnology, as well."
###
The National Science Foundation and the U. of I. Graduate College supported this research.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Lois E Yoksoulian
217-244-2788
Charles Sing
217-244-6671;
Sarah Perry
413-545-6252
Copyright © University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related Links |
Related News Press |
News and information
New organic molecule shatters phosphorescence efficiency records and paves way for rare metal-free applications July 5th, 2024
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication July 5th, 2024
Searching for dark matter with the coldest quantum detectors in the world July 5th, 2024
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
Atomic force microscopy in 3D July 5th, 2024
Aston University researcher receives £1 million grant to revolutionize miniature optical devices May 17th, 2024
Possible Futures
New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication July 5th, 2024
Searching for dark matter with the coldest quantum detectors in the world July 5th, 2024
Atomic force microscopy in 3D July 5th, 2024
Nanomedicine
The mechanism of a novel circular RNA circZFR that promotes colorectal cancer progression July 5th, 2024
Diamond glitter: A play of colors with artificial DNA crystals May 17th, 2024
Advances in priming B cell immunity against HIV pave the way to future HIV vaccines, shows quartet of new studies May 17th, 2024
Sensors
Discoveries
Efficient and stable hybrid perovskite-organic light-emitting diodes with external quantum efficiency exceeding 40 per cent July 5th, 2024
A New Blue: Mysterious origin of the ribbontail ray’s electric blue spots revealed July 5th, 2024
New organic molecule shatters phosphorescence efficiency records and paves way for rare metal-free applications July 5th, 2024
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Focused ion beam technology: A single tool for a wide range of applications January 12th, 2024
Announcements
New organic molecule shatters phosphorescence efficiency records and paves way for rare metal-free applications July 5th, 2024
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication July 5th, 2024
Searching for dark matter with the coldest quantum detectors in the world July 5th, 2024
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Single atoms show their true color July 5th, 2024
New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication July 5th, 2024
Searching for dark matter with the coldest quantum detectors in the world July 5th, 2024
Atomic force microscopy in 3D July 5th, 2024
Environment
Billions of nanoplastics released when microwaving baby food containers: Exposure to plastic particles kills up to 75% of cultured kidney cells July 21st, 2023
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
Premium Products | ||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||