Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - Research Publications

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    Fenton-RAFT Polymerization: An "On-Demand" Chain-Growth Method
    Reyhani, A ; McKenzie, TG ; Ranji-Burachaloo, H ; Fu, Q ; Qiao, GG (WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2017-05-29)
    Fine control over the architecture and/or microstructure of synthetic polymers is fast becoming a reality owing to the development of efficient and versatile polymerization techniques and conjugation reactions. However, the transition of these syntheses to automated, programmable, and high-throughput operating systems is a challenging step needed to translate the vast potential of precision polymers into machine-programmable polymers for biological and functional applications. Chain-growth polymerizations are particularly appealing for their ability to form structurally and chemically well-defined macromolecules through living/controlled polymerization techniques. Even using the latest polymerization technologies, the macromolecular engineering of complex functional materials often requires multi-step syntheses and purification of intermediates, and results in sub-optimal yields. To develop a proof-of-concept of a framework polymerization technique that is readily amenable to automation requires several key characteristics. In this study, a new approach is described that is believed to meet these requirements, thus opening avenues toward automated polymer synthesis.
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    Synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight polymers by controlled production of initiating radicals
    Reyhani, A ; Allison-Logan, S ; Ranji-Burachaloo, H ; McKenzie, TG ; Bryant, G ; Qiao, GG (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2019-09-15)
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    Blood-Catalyzed RAFT Polymerization
    Reyhani, A ; Nothling, MD ; Ranji-Burachaloo, H ; McKenzie, TG ; Fu, Q ; Tan, S ; Bryant, G ; Qiao, GG (WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2018-08-06)
    The use of hemoglobin (Hb) contained within red blood cells to drive a controlled radical polymerization via a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process is reported for the first time. No pre-treatment of the Hb or cells was required prior to their use as polymerization catalysts, indicating the potential for synthetic engineering in complex biological microenvironments without the need for ex vivo techniques. Owing to the naturally occurring prevalence of the reagents employed in the catalytic system (Hb and hydrogen peroxide), this approach may facilitate the development of new strategies for in vivo cell engineering with synthetic macromolecules.