Particle size variable reactor

Abstract

A particle size (or particle diameter) variable reactor comprises a granular substrate and a capturing unit fixed onto the surface of the granular substrate. The capturing unit comprises a rod-shaped body having a length of 810 nm or less, a configuration variable element which may be structurally transformed when stimulation is applied, and a capturing structured body which specifically captures an object to be captured. The particle size variable reactor is highly biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and can specifically act on and thus selectively capture its target alone. The reactor may preferably be used in various fields including medical and industrial fields.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A particle size variable reactor comprising: 
 a granular substrate;    a capturing unit fixed onto a surface of the granular substrate, wherein the capturing unit comprises: 
 a) a capturing structured body for specifically capturing an object;  
 b) a configuration variable element which can be structurally transformed when stimulation is applied; and  
 c) a rod-shaped body having a length of 810 nm or less.  
   
     
     
         2 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the capturing unit further comprises a repeating unit formed by the rod-shaped body and the configuration variable element, a first end of the capturing unit bonded to the granular substrate, and the other end thereof bonded to the capturing structured body which specifically captures the object.  
     
     
         3 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance from the surface of the granular substrate to the capturing structured body located at the distal end of the capturing unit is 810 nm or less.  
     
     
         4 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the particle size variable reactor reflects the incident light as a colored interference light.  
     
     
         5 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod-shaped body is a rod-shaped organic substance.  
     
     
         6 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 5 , wherein the rod-shaped organic substance is selected from the group consisting of α-helix polypeptide, DNA and amylose.  
     
     
         7 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein the number of amino acids in the α-helix polypeptide is 10 to 5000.  
     
     
         8 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein the DNA comprises a double-stranded DNA.  
     
     
         9 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein the amylose has an average molecular weight of 1,000 to 150,000.  
     
     
         10 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod-shaped body is amphiphilic.  
     
     
         11 . A variable particular size reactor according to  claim 4 , wherein the variable particular size reactor changes colors corresponding to a change of the colored interference light in the configuration variable element.  
     
     
         12 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuration variable element can be structurally transformed when exposed to light.  
     
     
         13 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuration variable element can be structurally transformed when an electric field is applied thereto.  
     
     
         14 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuration variable element comprises a geometrical isomer.  
     
     
         15 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 14 , wherein the geometrical isomer is a cis-trans isomer.  
     
     
         16 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuration variable element is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an azo compound and an azoxy compound.  
     
     
         17 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 16 , wherein the azo compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an azobenzene compound, an azomethane compound, an azodicarbonamide compound and a diethyl azodicarboxylate compound.  
     
     
         18 . A particle size variable reactor according to  claim 16 , wherein the azoxy compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an azoxydibenzoic acid compound and an azoxybenzene compound.