3D tracking of solute dynamics in heterogeneous polymer networks

Fan, Dongyu

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129407 Copy

Description

Title

3D tracking of solute dynamics in heterogeneous polymer networks

Author(s)

Fan, Dongyu

Issue Date

2025-04-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Landes, Christy F.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Sing, Charles E.

Committee Member(s)

• Su, Xiao
• Kuenstler, Alexa S.

Department of Study

Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Discipline

Chemical Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• single molecule tracking
• single-molecule microscopy
• polymer networks
• transport
• deep learning

Abstract

Understanding molecular transport in structurally complex polymer networks is essential for advancing technologies in separation, drug delivery, and soft materials engineering. While theoretical models and ensemble measurements offer macroscopic insights, they fall short in capturing nanoscale heterogeneity and molecular-level dynamics—factors that are critical when these materials are implemented in practical applications. The development of single-molecule microscopy opens new opportunities to revisit this longstanding problem with greater resolution and precision. Recent advances in phase-engineered point spread functions (PSFs) have further extended these capabilities to three dimensions, enabling the direct visualization of solute motion in heterogeneous environments. In this thesis, I first implement three-dimensional (3D) single-molecule tracking (SMT) to investigate solute dynamics within a charged polyelectrolyte brush (PEB). Through high-throughput trajectory analysis, I uncover spatial heterogeneity and identify two distinct transport subpopulations linked to polymer structure. To address the limitations in analyzing fast-diffusing molecules, I then develop D-Blur, a deep learning model that extracts diffusion coefficients directly from motion-blurred PSFs without trajectory linking. Validated on both simulated and experimental datasets, D-Blur enables high-throughput, localization-free diffusion mapping. Together, these experimental and computational developments establish a framework for probing transport phenomena in complex polymer networks at the single-molecule level, opening pathways toward the rational design of functional soft materials.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129407

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Dongyu Fan

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