NSF Directorate for Engineering | Division of

1. NSF Directorate for Engineering | Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) Transport and Thermal Fluids Cluster Particulate and Multiphase Processes (PMP) Program Director - Marc Ingber - mingber@nsf.gov Research Focus and Examples Current Research Focus Typical PMP Projects 1

2. Current Research FocusFundamental research on transport phenomena in dispersed and microstructured systems MULTIPHASE FLOW PHENOMENA & MICROSTRUCTURED FLUIDS(20%) Bubble/droplet dynamics; emulsions; particle-laden flows; multiphase flows in microfluidic devices; colloids, self and directed assembly; materials processing PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY(25%) Production of particles with engineered characteristics, unique composition, and surface properties; particle assembly into functional structures, sensors, and devices; particle tagging GRANULAR SYSTEMS(25%) Separation processes; force chains; modeling, DEM simulations; lubrication; powder flows; effects of cohesion; pharmaceutical and neutraceutical processing ENVIRONMENTAL(10%) Processes leading to new technologies for environmental sustainability; sediment transport; avalanches; plumes; viscous resuspension; fate and transport of nanoparticles MULTIPHASE TRANSPORT IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS(20%) Multiphase transport in biological systems with applications to clinical diagnostics and therapeutics; lab-on-a-chip; drug delivery; drug discovery The following slides depict some typical PMP research efforts 2

3. Self Assembled Biomimetic Antireflection Coatings For Solar Cells and Collectors Novel templating nanofabrication platform Mimics antireflective moth eyes Mimics superhydrophobic cicada Spin-coated colloidal crystals with remarkably large domain sizes and unusual nonclose-packed structures Peng Jiang - University of Florida Figure: 3

4. Dynamics of Microbubbles in the Human Circulation: Effects of Flow Pulsatility and Ultrasound Radation Alberto Aliseda - University of Washington Methodology can also be used to treat tumors and prevent strokes 4

5. Exploring the Fundamentals and Applications of Pickering Emulsions Lenore Dai - Arizona State University SEM Images with X-ray Microanalysis  Background  In contrast to conventional emulsions using surfactants as stabilizers, Pickering emulsions use solid particles. Provide a novel method to synthesize core-shell latexes through one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization. Results Successfully synthesized silica-polystryrene composite latexes using Pickering emulsions as a template. Inclusion of nanoparticles has a strong effect on the size distribution of the composite-latexes. Additional surfactants either inhibit nanoparticle interfacial assembly or even latex formation. Impact Novel and simple methods to synthesize functional particulates.  Unique class of materials that have wide potential applications. 5

6. Formation of Multiscale Biopolymer Particle Structures for Novel Biosorbent Design Nina Schapley - Rutgers University The following specific aims support the Project Goal: Synthesizing biopolimer microbeads coated with complementary biopolymer nanoparticles and characterizing equilibrium heavy metal ion uptake by the combined structures. Understanding mechanisms of particle size separation in a bimodal suspension flowing through expansion, contraction and bifurcation geometries, affecting the arrangement of microparticles when a fixed bed is formed. (See Figure 1.) Quantifying the kinetics of metal ion adsorption in flow through a fixed bed of biopolymer micro-nanoparticle structures, and hence gaining insight into the dominant mass transfer processes. 6

7. Magnetically and Thermally Active Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment Magnetite nanoparticles Carlos Rinaldi - University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez • Potential Advantages of Nanoparticles • Targeted energy delivery at the nanoscale Uniform hyperthermia at the tumor site • Fe3O4 nanoparticles are bio-compatible Inject and forget treatment • Particle size 10-100 nm Injectable High circulation lifetime Permeable through tumor leaky vasculature • Controllable surface charge (-5mV to +5mV) Minimize phagocytosis Avoid non-specific interactions with blood and tissues Avoid aggregation Functionalized nanoparticles may target specific cell types (cancerous vs. healthy) Minimize damage to surrounding healthytissue ~ 46° C 37° C 7

8. CAREER: Molecularly Directed Assembly of “Patchy” Particles Ilona Kretzschmar - The City College of New York a) Q = 2º d) b) c) e) • Background: Molecularly Directed Assembly • development of site-specific particle surface modification methods • “patchy” particles for molecularly directed assembly guidelines for binding energies, particle concentrations, and patch sizes • Results: Glancing Angle Metal Evaporation • patch sizes as small as 3.7% of surface • uses shadow effect of particles within layer patches of different geometry obtainable • Impact: • simple and reproducible method for patch • generation • geometry predicted by mathematical model • minimum patch size - important input • parameter for MD simulations • Figure Caption: • a)cross sectional view of evaporation set up (Q = 2º) • b) experimental patches • c) computational prediction of patch • d) particles responsible for patch formation • e) view of patch from source position 8