Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/T07473/01
Title:	Directed diffusion along surface energy gradients
Principal Investigator:	Geoghegan, Professor M
Other Investigators:	Leggett, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Physics and Astronomy
Organisation:	University of Sheffield
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	21 January 2005	Ends:	20 January 2008	Value (£):	190,163
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Heat & Mass Transfer Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing Electronics Healthcare
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Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Manipulating molecules in confined geometries is an important problem in nanotechnology (with potential applications where molecular selection is important, for example in proteomics and chemical micro- or nano-reactors). We shall create channels of nanometre size, onto which polymers will preferentially adsorb from aqueous solution. These channels will have a surface chemical gradient, which will encourage a directed diffusion of the polymers. The channels will be created using scanning near-field photolithography (SNP), and electron beam lithography. Photo-oxidation of self-assembled monolayers will be used to create the gradient in surface energy. The diffusion of polymers on the surfaces (in the aqueous environment) will be measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) will be the main polymer used for these experiments, but we shall also synthesize dye-labelled diblock copolymers of PEG with poly(methyl methacrylate) in order to create a micelle which may roll along the channel. The movement of such complexes will be particularly useful where the end of the chemical pathway triggers a response in the aggregate (such as the release of trapped molecules). As part of the project, we shall study the adsorption of polymers onto these patterned surfaces, and will compare the different methods for creating such surfaces (SNP, e-beam lithography, and also surfaces created via plasma polymerization).
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Organisation Website:	http://www.shef.ac.uk