This work describes the results of experimental study of the flow of soft objects (microgels) through microchannels. This work was carried with the intention of building a fundamental biophysical model for the flow of neutrophil cells in microcirculatory system. In Chapter 1 we give a summary of the literature describing the flow of cells and “model cells” in microchannels. Paramount to this we developed methods to modify microchannels fabricated in poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS). Originally, these microchannels could not be used to mimic biological microenvironments because they are hydrophobic and have rectangular cross-sections. We designed a method to create durable protein coatings in PDMS microchannels, as outlined in Chapter 3. Surface modification of the channels was accomplished by a two-step approach which included (i) the site-specific photografting of a layer of poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) to the PDMS surface and (ii) the bioconjugation of PAAm with the desired protein. This method is compatible with different channel geometries and it exhibits excellent longevity under shear stresses up to 1 dyn/cm. The modification was proven to be successful for various proteins of various molecular weights and does not affect protein activity. The microchannels were further modified by modifying the cross-sections in order to replicate cardiovascular flow conditions. In our work, we transformed the rectangular cross-sections into circular corss-sections. Microchannels were modified by polymerizing a liquid silicone oligomer around a gas stream coaxially introduced into the channel, as outlined in Chapter 3. We demonstrated the ability to control the diameter of circular cross-sections of microchannels. The flow behaviour of microgels in microchannels was studied in a series of experiments aimed at studying microgel flow (i) under electrostatic interactions (Chapter 4), (ii) binding of proteins attached to the microgel and the microchannel (Chapter 5) and (iii) under the conditions of varying channel geometry (Chapter 6). This work overall present’s new methods to study the flow of soft objects such as cells, in the confined geometries of microchannels. Using these methods, variables can be independently probed and analyzed.

This work describes the results of experimental study of the flow of soft objects (microgels) through microchannels. This work was carried with the intention of building a fundamental biophysical model for the flow of neutrophil cells in microcirculatory system. In Chapter 1 we give a summary of the literature describing the flow of cells and “model cells” in microchannels. Paramount to this we developed methods to modify microchannels fabricated in poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS). Originally, these microchannels could not be used to mimic biological microenvironments because they are hydrophobic and have rectangular cross-sections. We designed a method to create durable protein coatings in PDMS microchannels, as outlined in Chapter 3. Surface modification of the channels was accomplished by a two-step approach which included (i) the site-specific photografting of a layer of poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) to the PDMS surface and (ii) the bioconjugation of PAAm with the desired protein. This method is compatible with different channel geometries and it exhibits excellent longevity under shear stresses up to 1 dyn/cm. The modification was proven to be successful for various proteins of various molecular weights and does not affect protein activity. The microchannels were further modified by modifying the cross-sections in order to replicate cardiovascular flow conditions. In our work, we transformed the rectangular cross-sections into circular corss-sections. Microchannels were modified by polymerizing a liquid silicone oligomer around a gas stream coaxially introduced into the channel, as outlined in Chapter 3. We demonstrated the ability to control the diameter of circular cross-sections of microchannels. The flow behaviour of microgels in microchannels was studied in a series of experiments aimed at studying microgel flow (i) under electrostatic interactions (Chapter 4), (ii) binding of proteins attached to the microgel and the microchannel (Chapter 5) and (iii) under the conditions of varying channel geometry (Chapter 6). This work overall present’s new methods to study the flow of soft objects such as cells, in the confined geometries of microchannels. Using these methods, variables can be independently probed and analyzed.

Orientador: Fernando Galembeck / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T02:26:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Braganca_FabiodoCarmo_D.pdf: 5432342 bytes, checksum: bed10dd45e0418cfb0468e2a4a0df2ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Este trabalho mostra a influência das interações eletrostáticas nas propriedades físicas e morfológicas de nanocompósitos poliméricos com argila preparados a partir de dispersões aquosas, e as características estruturais de laminados nanoestruturados autoadesivos preparados com borracha natural e argila. A preparação dos nanocompósitos envolveu a utilização de argilas produzidas através da troca do sódio por potássio, lítio e cálcio e a mistura destas com um látex estireno-acrílico sintetizado em laboratório. O tipo e o grau de hidratação dos cátions influenciaram de maneira significativa as propriedades mecânicas dos nanocompósitos. Mapas elementares baseados em espectroscopia por perda de energia de elétrons mostraram que os contra-íons estão presentes nas regiões onde se sobrepõem polímero e argila. Este resultado forneceu subsídios para a proposição de um modelo, onde os contra-íons atuam como uma ponte iônica entre as lâminas de argila e a matriz polimérica, ambas contendo excesso de cargas negativas. O modelo de adesão eletrostática mediada por contra-íons foi aplicado com sucesso na preparação de nanocompósitos com polietileno de baixa densidade e argila em meio aquoso. Os nanocompósitos preparados apresentaram aumento de aproximadamente 40% no módulo elástico frente ao polímero puro, quando 4% em massa de argila foi incorporado à matriz. Para a preparação dos laminados auto-adesivos, filmes nanocompósitos com propriedades mecânicas diferentes, em função da quantidade de argila incorporada à matriz, mas altamente compatíveis por possuírem a mesma matriz polimérica, foram unidos sem a utilização de adesivos ou tratamentos superficiais para aumentar a compatibilidade entre eles. Microtomografias de raios X, ensaios mecânicos e microscopia eletrônica de varredura acoplada a um feixe iônico focalizado (SEM/FIB) permitiram verificar que, sob estresse mecânico e de intumescimento, os filmes rompem no interior permanecendo a interface entre eles fortemente conectada / Abstract: This Thesis demonstrates the influence of electrostatic interactions on the physical and morphological properties of polymer clay nanocomposites prepared in aqueous medium and the characteristics of self-adhesive natural rubber/clay laminate nanocomposites. Na-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and its ion-exchanged derivatives (K-, Li-, Ca- MMT) were used to make nanocomposites by mixing with a low-Tg styrene-acrylic latex; these materials were used to verify the effects of counterions on nanocomposite morphology and mechanical properties. The monovalent cation clays form exfoliated/intercalated nanocomposites with more than 10-fold increase in modulus, as compared to the pristine polymer, and ~ 200 % increase in tensile strength. Li-MMT nanocomposites mechanical properties are strongly dependent on the extent of drying, as expected considering that these ions are strongly hydrated. Analytical electron micrographs show that the counterions are always accumulated in the domains containing clay and polymer, both carrying excess negative charges. The electrostatic interaction model was applied to making low density polyethylene and clay nanocomposites, in aqueous medium. The nanocomposite elastic modulus increases about 40% as compared to the pure polymer, thus verifying again the model. This result was attained adding 4% of Na-MMT to the polymer matrix. The assemblage of the self-adhesive laminates was made by joining natural rubber/clay nanocomposite films with different mechanical properties without using any adhesive or surface treatment. The joined nanocomposite films showed different properties due to their different clay contents but they show high compatibility since both use the same rubber matrix. X-ray microtomography, mechanical tests and electron microscopy with a focused ion beam showed that, under mechanical and swelling stress, the laminates undergo bulk fracture while keeping the interfaces strongly connected / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

Orientadores: Rosiane Lopes da Cunha, Ângelo Luiz Fazani Cavallieri / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T01:10:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mantovani_RaphaeladeAraujo_M.pdf: 4371985 bytes, checksum: 490b60583a49fed7d2421e32dcf9160e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: As proteínas do soro do leite (WPI) e lecitina de soja são amplamente utilizadas em alimentos devido às suas excelentes propriedades emulsificantes. Este trabalho visou avaliar as propriedades emulsificantes da mistura de WPI e lecitina em diferentes condições de pH e concentração dos ingredientes. A primeira etapa consistiu no estudo das interações entre os emulsificantes em meio aquoso em diferentes razões WPI:lecitina e condições de pH. Os resultados mostraram que na razão 1:1 e em pH abaixo do pI da proteína, no qual os emulsificantes encontravam-se opostamente carregados, foi favorecida a formação de complexos eletrostáticos. Na segunda etapa, emulsões O/A contendo proteínas do soro e/ou lecitina foram avaliadas através da estabilidade à cremeação, microestrutura, distribuição do tamanho de gota, densidade de carga superficial, reologia, eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida e digestão in vitro, verificando-se a influência do pH e da pressão de homogeneização. As emulsões estabilizadas somente por proteínas apresentaram separação de fases e comportamento não-Newtoniano somente em pH próximo ao pI. As emulsões contendo somente lecitina não separaram de fases e apresentaram comportamento Newtoniano. Os sistemas em pH abaixo do pI, contendo a mistura de emulsificantes apresentaram elevada instabilidade cinética devido à forte interação eletrostática entre os componentes. No entanto, em pH próximo ao pI da prote, a interação foi favorável e levou ao aumento da estabilidade das emulsões e a menores tamanhos de gota, resultando em fluidos pouco viscosos. O aumento da pressão de homogeneização, em emulsões com pH próximo e acima do pI favoreceu a formação de agregados de alta massa molecular, o que não foi observado em pH mais ácido. Também não foi notada a formação de agregados na presença de lecitina em nenhuma das condições de pH. Os ensaios de eletroforese deram indícios de que a interação entre os emulsificantes levou a modificações na estrutura das proteínas e revelaram maior afinidade da lecitina com a ?-lactoalbumina (?-la). Finalmente, na etapa de simulação do processo de digestão as proteínas mostraram-se mais resistentes, uma vez que a presença de lecitina promoveu a liberação do óleo da emulsão logo no início da etapa gástrica. De maneira geral, a utilização das proteínas do soro juntamente com a lecitina como emulsificante levou a resultados satisfatórios pois permitiu o desenvolvimento de sistemas estáveis à cremeação em diferentes valores de pH, inclusive em pH próximo ao pI, e consideravelmente resistentes às condições adversas do trato gastrointestinal / Abstract: Whey proteins (WPI) and soybean lecithin are widely used in food due to its excellent emulsifying properties. This study aimed to evaluate the emulsifying properties of the mixture of whey protein and lecithin at different conditions of pH and concentration of ingredients. Firstly, the interactions between emulsifiers in an aqueous medium at different ratios (WPI:lecithin) and pH conditions were studied. The results showed that at mixing ratio of 1:1 and at pH below the isoelectric point of the protein (pI) in which the emulsifiers were oppositely charged, was favored the formation of electrostatic complexes. Afterwards, O/W emulsions containing WPI and/or lecithin were prepared and the influence of pH and pressure homogenization were studied. Stability, microstructure, droplet size distribution, surface charge density, rheology, electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) and digestion in vitro were evaluated. The emulsions stabilized by proteins showed phase separation and non-Newtonian behavior only in pH close to the pI. The emulsions containing only lecithin were stable and showed Newtonian behavior. Systems containing the mixture of emulsifiers at pH below the pI showed high kinetic instability due to the strong electrostatic interactions between the components. However, at pH close to the pI the interaction was favorable and led to an increase of the emulsion stability and to smaller droplet sizes, resulting in lower viscosities. When the pressure homogenization was increased, emulsions at a pH close to and above the pI favored the formation of high molecular weight protein aggregates which was not observed in emulsions at lower pH. In the presence of lecithin, protein aggregates were not formed in any of the pH conditions. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the interaction between emulsifiers led to modifications in the structure of proteins and indicated a higher affinity of lecithin to ?-lactalbumin (?-la). Finally, proteins were more resistant to digestion, since the presence of lecithin promoted release of oil emulsion at the beginning of gastric step. In general, the use of whey protein with lecithin as emulsifier led to satisfactory results because it allowed the development of stable emulsions to creaming at different pH values, even at pH close to the pI, and substantially resistant to the adverse conditions of the gastrointestinal tract / Mestrado / Engenharia de Alimentos / Mestre em Engenharia de Alimentos

La présence de surfaces solides peut modifier l'organisation et le comportement dynamique d'espèces chargées en solution. Dans ce cadre, nous étudions des systèmes chargés de complexité croissante au voisinage d'une surface d'argile par des méthodes numériques. Il convient de choisir une échelle de description appropriée selon les propriétés que l'on cherche à obtenir, tout en limitant le temps de calcul. Modéliser le transport d'ions dans un échantillon d'argile demande de décrire sa structure complexe mais également les interactions entre les particules mobiles considérées comme ponctuelles et les parois solides. Nous proposons un modèle mésoscopique composé d'un système à deux milieux dans lequel le déplacement des ions obtenu par dynamique brownienne est conditionné par la localisation de l'espèce diffusante, les coefficients de diffusion étant extraits de simulations atomiques de dynamique moléculaire. Pour des espèces chargées non ponctuelles comme un polyélectrolyte, le système peut être simplifié en construisant un modèle à gros grains qui permet d'avoir accès aux échelles de temps adaptées à la diffusion par dynamique de Langevin. Deux cas sont envisagés, avec une description explicite ou non des contre-ions, et les paramètres sont calibrés sur des simulations atomiques. En revanche, pour des molécules chargées complexes comme les nucléotides, une description tout atome est nécessaire pour tenir compte des interactions spécifiques qui émergent de la structure locale de la molécule. Les simulations de métadynamique permettent alors d'accéder aux grandeurs liées aux phénomènes « rares » comme l'adsorption des molécules sur la surface d'argile. / The presence of solid surfaces can modify the organization and the dynamics of charged species in solution with potential applications from the transport of polluants to formation of the firt biopolymers. We study charged systems with increasing complexity in the vicinity of a clay surface by numerical methods. The level of description should be adapted according to the relevant properties while limiting calculation times. Modeling the transport of ions in a clay sample requires to describe its complex structure but also the interactions between the mobile particles considered as punctual and the solid walls. We propose a mesoscopic model composed of a two-media system in which the displacement of the ions obtained by Brownian dynamics is conditioned by the localization of the diffusing species whith the diffusion coefficients being extracted from atomic simulations of molecular dynamics. For non-punctual species such as polyelectrolytes, the system can be simplified by constructing a coarse-grained model that allows to gain access to time scales adapted to diffusion phenomenon thanks to Langevin dynamics simulations. Two cases are considered, with an explicit or non-explicit description of the counter-ions, and the parameters are calibrated on atomic simulations. However, for complex charged molecules such as nucleotides, an atomic description is necessary to take into account the specific interactions emerging from the local structure of the molecule. Then, metadynamics simulations give quantities related to "rare" phenomena such as the adsorption of molecules on the surface of clay.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23219号 / 工博第4863号 / 新制||工||1759(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科分子工学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 庸裕, 教授 近藤 輝幸, 准教授 菅瀬 謙治, 教授 佐藤 啓文 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

This diploma thesis is focused on two parts. The first one deals with rheological behavior of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) solutions in the presence of sodium and calcium ions. The solutions of various concentrations were prepared by solubilization in aqueous solutions of NaCl or CaCl2. The effect of monovalent and bivalent ions on apparent viscosity and viscoelastic properties of these solutions was studied. It was found that in the case of low concentrations of CMC-Na in the sample (up to 0.5% w/w) the elastic character increases. At the same time the stiffness of the sample is higher with higher concentration of calcium ion in the solution. This increase might indicate the formation of gel network. On the other hand the viscosity of these solutions decreases with higher concentration of calcium ions. In case of solutions with concentration higher than 1.5% w/w changes of viscosity did not happen by influence of addition ions. Rheological behavior was compared also with solutions prepared without adding an electrolyte as well as with acid form of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-H). In terms of second part the molecular dynamic simulations of hyaluronan tetramer both sodium and calcium in aqueous medium were performed. Structure and arrangement of water molecules in the surrounding of hyaluronan chain were studied. Structure was described by formalism of radial distribution functions. In the case of system containing sodium ions only, the obtained results are in accordance with earlier published data. Presence of calcium ions does not cause qualitative changes during the radial distribution functions in comparison with the system with sodium ions.

No description available.

No description available.

Anionic polymerization and controlled radical polymerization enabled the synthesis of novel block copolymers with non-covalent interactions (electrostatic interaction and/or hydrogen bonding) to examine the relationships between mesoscale phenomenon and macroscopic physical properties. Non-covalent interactions offer extra intra- and inter-molecular interactions to achieve stimuli-responsive materials in various applications, such as artificial muscles, thermoplastic elastomers, and reversible biomacromolecule binding. The relationship between non-covalent interaction promoted mesoscale phenomenon (such as morphology) and consequent macroscopic physical properties is the key to optimize material design and improve end-use performance for emerging applications. Pendant hydrogen bonding in ABA block copolymers promoted microphase separation and delayed the order-disorder transition, resulting in tunable morphologies (through composition changes) and extended rubbery plateaus. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization afforded a facile synthesis of ABA triblock copolymers with hydrogen bonding (urea sites) and electrostatic interactions (pyridinium groups). Pyridine groups facilitated hydrogen bonding through a preorganization effect, leading to highly ordered, long-range lamellar morphology and a significant increase of flow temperature (Tf) 80 °C above the hard block Tg. After quaternization of pyridine groups, electrostatic interaction, as a second physical crosslinking mechanism, disrupted ordered lamellar morphology and decreased Tf. Yet, extra physical crosslinking from electrostatic interactions pertained ordered hydrogen bonding at high temperature and exhibited improved stress-relaxation properties. Both conventional free radical polymerization and RAFT polymerization generated a library of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) homopolymers with imidazolium groups as bond charge moieties. A long chain alkyl spacer between imidazolium groups and the polymer backbones ensured a low glass transition temperature (Tg), which is beneficial to ion conductivity. Four different counter anions enabled readily tunable Tgs all below room temperature and showed promising ion conductivities as high as 2.45 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at 30 °C. For the first time, the influence of counter anions on radical polymerization kinetics was observed and investigated thoroughly using in situ FTIR, NMR diffusometry, and simulation. Monomer diffusion and aggregation barely contributed to the kinetic differences, and the Marcus theory was applied to explain the polymerization kinetic differences which showed promising simulation results. RAFT polymerization readily prepared AB diblock, ABA triblock and (AB)3 3-arm diblock copolymers using the ionic liquid (IL) monomers discussed above and deuterated/hydrogenated styrene. We demonstrated the first example of in situ morphology studies during an actuation process, and counter anions with varied electrostatic interactions showed different mesoscale mechanisms, which accounted for macroscopic actuation. The long chain alkyl spacer between imidazolium groups and polymer backbones decoupled ion dynamics and structural relaxation. For the first time, composition changes of block copolymers achieved tunable viscoelastic properties without altering ion conductivity, which provided an ideal example for actuation materials, solid electrolytes, and ion exchange membranes. / Ph. D. / My research focuses on the synthesis of novel soft materials with a special interest in responsive polymers. The incorporation of responsive chemistry, such as hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, enables soft materials with complex responsive behavior were achieved. Polymers with ion pairs promise great potential as solid-state electrolytes (which transfer ions to generate current) to eliminate potential fire hazard in batteries, which has been an arising concern for modern cellphone and electric car industry. The introduction of strong dipoles into polymers allows the fabrication of actuators, which convert electric signals to physical movement. Under applied voltage, polymers bend within seconds while holding physical loads. Actuator studies in polymers paves the way towards artificial muscles as well as soft robotics. Temperature responsive hydrogen bonding in polymers offers drastically different viscoelastic properties at different temperature and serves as the key mechanism in holt-melt adhesives, controlled drug release, and high performance materials.