RII Track-4: NSF: Elucidating heterogeneous single chain conformation and dynamics in thin films through optical imaging

RII Track-4：NSF：通过光学成像阐明薄膜中的异质单链构象和动力学

• 批准号: 2132144
• 负责人: Zhe Qiang
• 金额: $ 19.64万
• 依托单位: University of Southern Mississippi
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-02-01 至 2025-01-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2132144&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RII; Track; NSF; Elucidating; heterogeneous

Polymer thin films are indispensable in a wide range of nanotechnologies. For some applications, their thickness needs to be less than the size of a polymer molecule. However, films with such thickness can have substantially different material properties relative to their bulk analogs. Understanding the fundamental structure-property relationship of polymer thin films is crucial for enabling their rational design. In this project, the PI and a female graduate student from the University of Southern Mississippi will work with experts at Rice University. The team will directly elucidate how nanoscale confinement alters polymer chain microstructures, mobility, and system heterogeneity through advanced optical imaging methods. This project will strengthen single-molecule imaging capabilities in the PI’s group and develop new collaborations between institutions. These resources will be leveraged to improve the research infrastructures in Mississippi, as well as to develop new course and workshop materials for educating future STEM researchers and enhancing community outreach. The overarching goal of this RII Track-4 fellowship project is to obtain a complete, molecular-level understanding about thin film confinement effects on polymer chain dynamics and conformations through real-space, real-time imaging. Specifically, single-particle tracking (SPT) and single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (sm-FRET) methods will be employed for characterizing polymer mobility and their end-to-end distances as functions of film thickness and matrix molecular weight. Both imaging techniques are uniquely suited for simultaneously examining hundreds of individual molecules. The combined use of SPT and sm-FRET in this project will elucidate heterogenous chain behaviors of polymer thin films, which are particularly important for informing their efficient system design. Furthermore, this fellowship program will establish a platform to advance optical imaging capabilities in the PI’s home institution and the state of Mississippi.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

聚合物薄膜在多种纳米技术中是不可或缺的，其厚度需要小于聚合物分子的尺寸，但是，相对于其块状类似物，具有这种厚度的薄膜可能具有显着不同的材料特性。聚合物薄膜的基本结构-性能关系对于实现其合理设计至关重要，该项目的首席研究员和南密西西比大学的一名女研究生将与莱斯大学的专家合作，直接阐明纳米尺度如何实现。通过先进的光学成像方法，限制改变聚合物链的微观结构、流动性和系统异质性。该项目将加强 PI 小组的单分子成像能力，并开发机构之间的新合作，这些资源将用于改善密西西比州的研究基础设施。以及开发新的课程和研讨会材料，以教育未来的 STEM 研究人员并加强社区外展。RII Track-4 奖学金项目的首要目标是获得关于薄膜对聚合物链的限制效应的完整、分子水平的了解。具体来说，将采用单粒子跟踪（SPT）和单分子福斯特共振能量转移（sm-FRET）方法来表征聚合物的流动性及其端到端。两种成像技术都非常适合检查数百个单独的分子，该项目中同时结合使用 SPT 和 sm-FRET 将阐明聚合物薄膜的异质链行为。此外，该奖学金计划将建立一个平台，以提高 PI 所在机构和密西西比州的光学成像能力。该奖项反映了有效的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

项目成果

Direct Measurement of Polymer-Chain-End-to-End Distances by Using RAFT Chain Transfer Agent as the FRET Acceptor

使用 RAFT 链转移剂作为 FRET 受体直接测量聚合物链端到端距离

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01703
• 发表时间: 2023-04
• 期刊: The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
• 作者: Wang, Yuming;Fortenberry, Alexander W.;Zhang, Wenlin;Simon, Yoan C.;Qiang, Zhe
• 通讯作者: Qiang, Zhe

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Measurements in Polymer Science: A Review

聚合物科学中的荧光共振能量转移测量：综述

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200421
• 发表时间: 2022-06
• 期刊: Macromolecular Rapid Communications
• 影响因子: 4.6
• 作者: Valdez, Sara;Robertson, Mark;Qiang, Zhe
• 通讯作者: Qiang, Zhe