Peter Kofinas
Current Research Projects
Lab Website: fml.umd.eduBlood Coagulation-Inducing Nanostructured Synthetic Polymer Hydrogel
We are aiming to synthesize and characterize the properties and blood coagulation mechanism of a novel polymer hemostatic hydrogel material. Experimentation has shown that the hydrogel is capable of potently activating factor VII (FVII) and sustaining the activation and amplification of the tissue factor pathway leading to fibrin formation irrespective of factor VIII (FVIII), calcium, a procoagulant surface, or presented tissue factor (TF). Structure-property material optimization experiments are performed to determine the key chemistry and morphological characteristics, which are necessary to induce fibrin formation. A set of experiments have been designed to investigate the biological mechanism of coagulation cascade activation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiments reveal
a direct relationship between the mechanical stiffness of the hydrogel and its ability to induce FVII activation, and subsequent fibrin formation. This polymer hydrogel material is able to induce the formation of a natural haemostatic plug in the absence of platelets or cells, and has enormous potential as a general haemostatic, especially with patients will platelet disorders. This synthetic haemostatic system is able to achieve the same end result as biological based haemostatics, yet without the innate risk of disease transmission or immunological response, and at a fraction of the price.
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Nanostructured Color-Changing Polymer for Food Pathogen and Chemical/Biological Threat Detection
Foodborne pathogens present an enormous threat to consumers of food products. Current detection methods require tedious biological assays and long wait times before contamination can be confirmed. We are aiming to fabricate nanostructured polymers that undergo a visible color change upon recognition of the target pathogen. Such color-changing polymers can be integrated into food packaging and labels, to serve as sensors for the direct visualization of food contamination by pathogens. Sensors of this type would provide consumers and manufacturers with a quick and reliable method for quality monitoring and preservation of a large number of food products, a process that currently takes days to weeks. In addition, such coatings would aid in the verification and location of pathogen outbreaks in food and agricultural products.
Additionally, we are designing similar color-changing polymers for the detection of Chemical and Biological Threats: the ability detect ricin quickly and ubiquitously is an unmet need with particular importance since it is a toxin lethal at very small doses (LD=0.5mg/adult), with no known antidote. Since it is found in the beans of Ricinus communis, a plant cultivated throughout the world for its seed oil and ornamental value, the toxin is inexpensively and easily produced, and thus a very common aerosol-, water-, and food-born threat agent.
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Functional Polymer Nanostructures for Radio Frequency Device Applications
The overall goal of this research is the development of functional nanostructures with unique magnetodielectric properties, which are not available in the bulk. Applications of this research is sought in antennas communications, computer hardware and magnetic storage systems. The primary objective is to incorporate metal oxide nanoclusters into the self - assembled nanodomains of block copolymer templates, and to fabricate functional nanostructures exhibiting improved magnetic and radio frequency properties.
Polymer Nanoarchitectures for Flexible Batteries
In recent years, the interest in polymeric batteries has increased dramatically. With the advent of lithium batteries being used in cell phones and laptop computers, the search for an all solid state battery has continued. Current configurations have a liquid or gel electrolyte along with a separator between the anode and cathode. This leads to problems with electrolyte loss and decreased performance over time. The highly reactive nature of these electrolytes necessitate the use of protective enclosures which add to the size and bulk of the battery. Polymer electrolytes are more compliant than conventional inorganic glass or ceramic electrolytes. The goal of this research is to develop novel nanoscale polymer electrolyte flexible thin films based on the self-assembly of block copolymers for pulsed power capacitor and battery applications.
The ease of processing a polymer electrolyte using alternative non-solvent techniques would allow for the mass production of thin film nanoscale self-assembled flexible batteries that could be wound into coils or processed as coatings and sheets. A solid polymer electrolyte based on the nanoscale self-assembly of block copolymers will provide for devices with integrated electronics and yet be distributed over a large area substrate as freestanding flexible films or coatings. The active circuit components would be directly integrated on the
flexible substrate. The substitution of current corrosive electrolytes would greatly augment the safety aspects of the battery or capacitor and would outmode the need for bulky protective casings. Such a light weight, shape versatile polymer electrolyte based battery system could find wide spread application as energy sources in miniature medical devices like pacemakers, wireless endoscopes, implantable pumps, treatment probes and untethered robotic mobile manipulators.
