Maria M. Santore
Professor, Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering
A417 Conte, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9292
(413) 577-1417
santore@mail.pse.umass.edu
http://www.pse.umass.edu/~msantore/
Dynamically Responsive Smart Materials, Biomimetic Interfaces
Development of responsive “smart” materials by tuning interfacial dynamics and function, often at nanometer length scales. Applications include complex fluids, novel sensors, smart adhesives, chemical and pharmaceutical delivery, and biomedical and biomimetic devices. Fundamentals focus on developing a formalism for interfacial macromolecular dynamics relative to bulk flow, and the link between molecular structure and dynamics. Understanding properties and development of biomimetic materials, including materials for implantation in the body, drug delivery, tunable adhesives, paints and inks, water clean-up, bacterial scavengers, bio-sensors, and protein separations.
| Research Interest | Potential Application |
|---|---|
| Developing chemistry and protocols to synthesize surfaces with distinct chemical patterns on length scales from 3-50 nm, and the subsequent study of how these materials interact with proteins | Biomedical implants, pharmaceutical separation media, sensors |
| Developing chemistry and protocols to synthesize surfaces with distinct chemical patterns on length scales from 3-50 nm, and the subsequent study of how these materials interact with colloidal –scale objects | Pharmaceutical separation media, sorting of biological cells, sensors |
| Development of nanometer thin bilayer polymeric membranes with selective adhesive function | Drug delivery, scavengers of harmful micron-scale objects (both cellular, viral, and non-biological) |
| Development of nanometer thin bilayer polymeric membranes with controlled surface phase behavior and stability | Drug delivery |
| Fundamental studies in of dynamics of mobility in layers of adsorbed polymers and proteins (typically at a liquid-solid interfaces) | Surfaces for microfluidic applications, biomedical implants, lab-on-a-chip |
Honors and Awards
- American Chemical Society, Colloids Division, Chair-Elect, 2004
- American Chemical Society, Colloids Division, Vice Chair, 2003
- Alfred Noble Robinson Award, Lehigh University, 1996
Publications
- N. Hansupalak and M. Santore, “Dynamic Crossovers in Adsorbed Polyelectrolyte Layers: The Role of Segment-Surface Contacts,” Macromolecules, in press.
- “Influence of Molecular Weight and Layer Age on Self Exchange Kinetics for Saturated Layers of PEO in a Good Solvent,” E. Mubarekyan and M. Santore, Macromolecules 34, 4978-4986 (2001).
- "Adsorption and Relaxation Kinetics of Albumin and Fibrinogen on Hydrophobic Surfaces: Single-Species and Competitive Behavior" C.F. Wertz, and M. Santore, Langmuir 15, 8884-8894 (1999).
- E. Mubarekyan and M. Santore, “The Barrier to Self Exchange between PEO Adsorbed on Silica and in Solution,” Macromolecules 34, 7504-7513 (2001).
- "The Effect of Surfactant on Unilamellar Polymeric Vesicles: Altered Membrane Properties and Stability in the Limit of Weak Surfactant Partitioning" M. Santore, D.E. Discher , Y.Y. Won, F.S. Bates, D.A. Hammer, Langmuir, 18, 7299-7308 (2002).
