Bioinspired synthesis of optically and thermally responsive nanoporous membranes

摘要: The development of porous membranes that can rapidly change flow rates in response to external, noninvasive stimuli has broad technological applications for areas ranging from biomedical devices architecture. Environmentally responsive have a fundamental role the used chemical sensors, biological sorters, sequencing, separations, high-throughput medical and labs on chip. design engineering these been achieved through coupling with polymeric materials their physical conformation pressure, heat, pH or different entities. Inspired by phototropic growth coleoptiles light-mediated mechanism plants use open stomata, this work, light-responsive were engineered, mathematically modeled synthesized. This biologically inspired approach led state-of-the-art technique device outperforms its natural counterpart is capable reversibly controlling 0.001 0.035 ml s−1 cm−2 less than few minutes using stimulus light. We envision platform synthesis employed manuscript fabrication could be utilized range will great impact fields fluid handling, devices, medicine other chemistry, biology mechanical engineering. Membranes whose permeability depends certain environmental conditions — such as temperature, glucose concentration are attractive sensing, separation drug delivery systems. Such already exist but typically they slow respond require entire environment. Taking inspiration plants, stomatal pores leaf epidermis light allow gas exchange close dark, example, J Ruben Morones-Ramirez (www.rubenmorones.com) Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Mexico now devised membrane both temperature responsive. polymer (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) was first grafted onto surface gold nanoparticles subsequently incorporated. Exposure heat irradiation convert induced polymer's and, turn, opening membrane's pores, which closed again when removed. system shows promise optothermally switchable valves control. Natural systems employ energy converters form chlorophores entities transform into response, allows them pores. nature, we metallic opto-thermal switch thermally polymers incorporated nanporous flow.