Self-Powered Mkroscale Pumps Based on Analyte-Initiated Depolymertzation Reactions

摘要

Microscale pumps that are simultaneously capable of turning "on" in response to specific analytes in solution and of providing precise control over flow rate will be needed for certain types of smart micro- and nanoscale devices. Access to these types of pumps, however, has remained limited. Two general approaches for designing microscale pumps have been proposed: 1) those that are turned on and off by input from the user; and 2) single-use pumps that are turned on autonomously by exposure to a specific chemical signal, and therefore do not need to be turned off. The ideal pump in this second category would combine sensing and pumping capabilities, and thus would enable pumping that is controlled by the presence and concentration of a specific analyte. Herein we describe the first examples of this second type of microscale pump. We characterize this type of pump, and establish both the chemical and physical-chemical foundation upon which future applied efforts will be based.