A permeability-switchable polypyrrole nano-valve array for reusable drug delivery systems
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Chang, Kuang-Fu
Abstract
The electro-active polymer polypyrrole has small power consumption in aqueous working media. Due to its stability, incorruptibility and micromachining compatibility, polypyrrole plays an important role in developing micro/nano-actuators for biological in vivo applications. This thesis presents a flexible and reusable polypyrrole nano-valve array for controllable drug delivery. This system works in aqueous media even in the body fluid. It also provides mixable drugs. The system has extremely low power consumption and short response time. The nano-valves are formed by depositing polypyrrole by a novel method on an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) film which has uniform nano-holes. This method ensures the uniformlity of the polypyrrole and the integrity of the AAO film. After the deposition, the nano-valves are integrated with a flexible print circuit. The valves are actuated through the oxidation and reduction of the polypyrrole. The reduction state of the polypyrrole makes sodium ions entering the polypyrrole and hence swells the polypyrrole. During the swelling situation, the polypyrrole becomes permeable. Hence the valve is opened. Conversely, the polypyrrole is compressed and becomes impermeable in the oxidation state. By controlling the open/close time with constant voltage, the diffusive characteristics of the nano-valves can be easily changed.
Subjects
polypyrrole
nano-valve
drug delivery system
permeability
indirect electroplating
Type
thesis
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