How do Molecules Self-Assemble into One-Dimensional Structures?

分子如何自组装成一维结构？

• 批准号: 0911089
• 负责人: Richard Weiss
• 金额: $ 115.01万
• 依托单位: Georgetown University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2013-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0911089&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: How; do; Molecules; Self; Assemble

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)". This project will investigate why many small molecules self-assemble in dilute solution to form very long "1-dimensional" (1D) objects, thinner than a human hair, that organize into 3-dimensional (3D) networks. Events starting from the earliest moments when a few molecules come together to start the growth process and continuing until the 1D objects are fully formed will be probed experimentally, and models consistent with the results will be developed. Structural and dynamic changes during the assembly process will be characterized using techniques that correlate the temporal evolution of molecular and more macro (i.e., fiber) structures, as well as growth patterns. Appropriate theoretical calculations will be used to model the packing of molecules within fibers and will cover the large space and time scales involved in the growth of fibers. Although focusing on specific systems, the thrust of the research will be to generate global models with predictive powers. Learning how and why small organic molecules assemble into 1D objects and in 3D fibrillar networks will enable the inexpensive design and construction of new high-tech nanodevices. It will indicate how to promote beneficial biological functions (e.g., cytoskeletal filament formation) and how to impede neurodegenerative diseases that rely on fibrillar growth (e.g., Alzheimer's). Also, an outreach project will bring practical examples of fiber and gel formation to students at a Washington, D.C. high school. The modules will be placed on the web for general use.

“该奖项由 2009 年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法 111-5）资助”。该项目将研究为什么许多小分子在稀溶液中自组装形成非常长的“一维”(1D) 物体，比人的头发还细，并组织成 3 维 (3D) 网络。 将从几个分子聚集在一起开始生长过程的最早时刻开始一直持续到一维物体完全形成的事件将通过实验进行探索，并开发与结果一致的模型。 组装过程中的结构和动态变化将使用与分子和更宏观（即纤维）结构以及生长模式的时间演化相关的技术来表征。适当的理论计算将用于模拟纤维内分子的堆积，并将涵盖纤维生长所涉及的大空间和时间尺度。尽管专注于特定系统，但该研究的主旨将是生成具有预测能力的全局模型。了解有机小分子如何以及为何组装成 1D 物体和 3D 纤维网络将使新型高科技纳米器件的廉价设计和构建成为可能。 它将表明如何促进有益的生物功能（例如，细胞骨架丝的形成）以及如何阻止依赖纤维生长的神经退行性疾病（例如，阿尔茨海默病）。 此外，一个外展项目将为华盛顿特区一所高中的学生带来纤维和凝胶形成的实际例子。 这些模块将放置在网络上以供一般使用。