Three-dimensional molecular nanosystems

Professor Julius Vancso, of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, works on the use of polymers in the targeted delivery of medication and in the acceleration of chemical reactions. Together with others in his group (Materials Science and Technology of Polymers), Prof. Vancso develops polymers with specific properties.

Prof. Julius Vancso's group is working on polymers for use in a variety of nanotechnological applications. Prof. Vancso heads the Materials Science and Technology of Polymers research group at the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology.

Polymers are long-chain molecules made up of a number of smaller molecules, or monomers. The researchers are increasingly able to influence the structure of these molecules and to use them in combination with metal or semiconductor nanoparticles in complex structured systems.

Three-dimensional

Until recently, scientists were restricted to manipulating the surfaces of single molecules. "However, with current technology, we are increasingly able to manipulate and investigate structures in three dimensions" says Prof. Vancso.

Manipulation

The scientists manipulate these polymers and combine them with metal or semiconductor nanoparticles. As a result, these combinations of nanosystems acquire new properties. The researchers are able to build functional nanostructures, using macromolecular "glue" to combine semiconducting nanostructures and hold them in place.

Self-organizing nanostructures

In other projects, Prof. Vancso and his colleagues from MESA+, Prof. Huskens, Prof. Reinhoudt, and Prof. Subramaniam, control events at the molecular level using a combination of self-organizing nanostructures. The strong interdisciplinary collaboration found within MESA+ is a key factor in complex projects of this kind", notes Prof. Vancso. Polymers and light-emitting semiconducting nanocrystals are used to construct functional structures, layer by layer. These molecular nanostructures can be used to target drug release within the body, or to locate tumours very precisely, for example. "However, the polymers can also be used in micro reactors, for example. There they combine with tiny metal particles to form brush-like structures, allowing the researchers to greatly accelerate the rate of chemical reactions" adds Prof. Vancso.

Provided by University of Twente