Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Composite
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-24
2001-11-06
Thibodeau, Paul (Department: 1773)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Composite
C428S457000, C428S500000, C428S688000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312809
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a substrate having a dendrimer film thereon, and in particular, a dendrimer monolayer film that is covalently bonded to the surface. This film can be used, for example, as a chemically sensitive surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dendrimers are three dimensional manmade molecules which, as illustrated in
FIG. 1
, have a three-dimensional, spherical or ball shape.
Dendrimer macromolecules are generally produced in one of two ways. See, for example, “Preparation of Polymers with Controlled Molecular Architecture. A New Convergent Approach to Dendritic Macromolecules,” Hawker et al., J. Am Chem. Soc., 1990, 112, pp 7638-7747, which is incorporated herein by reference. The first of these methods is called the “divergent” approach. This method relates to the outward growth of the dendrimers from the center core in producing macromolecules. A second method for producing dendrimers is a convergent approach. In the convergent method, individual branches which make up the dendrimer are produced and these branches are then connected together to form the resulting dendrimer.
Dendrimers have generated a great deal of excitement largely due to their hollow, three-dimensional ball-like shape. It has been proposed to employ material “inside” the dendrimers which would allow the resulting material to be used in a variety of applications such as genetic therapy, drug delivery and even computer chips. For example, such “balls” can carry genetic materials into cells to repair birth defects. Alternatively, dendrimers can act as a delivery system for drugs.
It has further been proposed that dendrimers could be introduced onto a surface of a substrate. However, the art has not been able to successfully bond, and in particular, covalently bond, dendrimers onto the surface of substrates.
It is the belief of the inventors that the inability to effectively bond dendrimers to surfaces is a significant factor in preventing the practical use of dendrimers. For example, while as chemical sensors, has been mentioned, a practical way of employing dendrimers has not been found.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, a substrate having a monolayer comprising dendrimers or dendrimer branches (also known as dendrons) has been provided.
In one aspect of this invention, the substrate has reactive functional groups secured thereto and at least one dendrimer monolayer is covalently bonded to the surface through the reactive functional groups.
In another aspect of this invention, the monolayer film comprises dendrimer branches or dendrons which are “grown” from the substrate is provided. As was the case with the first embodiment, the monolayer is covalently bonded to the substrate by way of the reactive functional groups.
The dendrimer monolayers of the present invention can be employed in a variety of applications including chemical sensing.
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Crooks Richard M.
Ricco Antonio J.
Wells Mona
Dodson Brian W.
Rickman Holly C.
Sandia Corporation
Stanley Timothy D.
Thibodeau Paul
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