Insoluble polymer films depolymerize to release soluble monomeric products when exposed to a specific analyte. These depolymerization products create a concentration gradient that pumps fluids and insoluble particles away from the bulk polymer by diffusiophoresis, thereby amplifying the original signal.
These pumps can be designed to respond to a variety of analytes ranging from small molecules to enzymes in the next generation of smart micro/nanoscale devices.
Angew. Chem. 2012
Credits/Names: Penn State MRSEC DMR-0820404: Hua Zhang, Kimy Yeung, Jessica Robbins, Ryan Pavlick, Meng Wu, Ran Liu, Ayusman Sen and Scott Phillips
Download PDF Version:
Year of Highlight: 2011
IRG: IRG 2 - Molecular and Nanoscale Motors