Polymer Janus Nanoparticles by Flash NanoPrecipitation

Web Published:
12/8/2014
Description:

Polymer Janus Nanoparticles By Flash NanoPrecipitation

  

Princeton Docket # 14-2981

 

Janus particles are characterized by two physically distinct regions within or on the surface of the particle. Polymer Janus nanoparticles, in particular, contain at least two different polymer regions. At present, only a few ingenious routes for the generation of polymer Janus nanoparticles exist. These methods require cumbersome synthesis, multi-step procedures and/or lengthy process times. These processes are not scalable to produce commercial amounts of Janus particles. 

 

Researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University have developed a continuous, rapid, and facile route to prepare polymeric Janus particles. This is accomplished via Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP). FNP is currently a Princeton patented technology to prepare nanoparticle composites with amphiphilic copolymers. This new formulation uses FNP to prepare polymer Janus nanoparticles. It is anticipated that a range of polymer Janus nanoparticles can be prepared by FNP.

 

Applications:   

·         Emulsion stabilizers (i.e., nanoparticle surfactants)

·         Drug delivery

·         Medical imaging

·         Future applications:

o   Paints (pigments)

o   Cosmetics

o   Catalysis

Advantages:

·         The FNP process

 

o   Is a one-step process

 

o   Has a short processing time

 

o   Is continuous

 

o   Is cost-effective

Inventors

 

Rodney Priestley is Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University. His research interest is in the physics of polymeric materials and the development of novel polymeric systems as responsive and self-healing materials and membranes. Professor Priestley has won the Air Force Young Investigator Award (2012), NSF Career Award (2011), 3M-Nontenured Faculty Grant (2010), ACS Young Investigator Award (2009) and International Quadrant Award (2009).

 

Robert K Prud’homme is Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Director, Program in Engineering Biology, at Princeton University. His research focuses on how weak forces at the molecular level determine macroscopic properties at larger length scales. Equal time is spent on understanding the details of molecular-level interactions using NMR, neutron scattering, x-ray scattering, or electron microscopy and making measurements of bulk properties such as rheology, diffusion of proteins in gels, drop sizes of sprays, or pressure drop measurements in porous media. A major focus of his lab’s research is on using self-assembly to construct nanoparticles for drug delivery and imaging. The work is highly interdisciplinary; many of the projects involve joint advisors and collaborations with researchers at NIH, Argonne National Labs, CNRS in France, or major corporate research.

 

Chris Sosa is a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science in 2011 with a degree in chemical engineering. Over the years he has been awarded numerous honors such as a Charles A. Bonilla Medallion (2011), Princeton Presidential Fellowship (2011), and prestigious Department of Energy SCGF Research Fellowship (2012). He has moreover had the opportunity to study a range of interesting research problems from the development of chronic inflammatory diseases to the assembly of novel soft materials. His most recent work is focused on controlling the structure and properties of soft materials at the nanoscale.

Intellectual Property Status

Patent protection is pending. Various aspects of the FNP process have been successfully patented (US 8137699) and continuation applications are pending. 

Princeton is seeking to identify appropriate partners for the further development and commercialization of this technology.

Contact

Laurie Tzodikov
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-7256•
tzodikov@princeton.edu

Laurie Bagley
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-5579•
lbagley@princeton.edu

 

 

 

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
Tony Williams
Princeton University
anthonyw@Princeton.edu
Inventors:
Rodney Priestley
Robert Prud'homme
Chris Sosa
Keywords:
biomarker/diagnostic
Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
catalyst
Chemistry
drug delivery
Imaging