NIRT: Synthesis and Control of Molecular Machines

该提案是在纳米尺度科学与工程计划（NSF 01-157，类别NIRT）的响应下收到的。该项目的主要目标是在纳米尺度上开发和表征机械装置。这将通过创建新的合成分子机器来实现，这些机器是有目的地以分子对分子的方式设计的。为了实现这一目标，一个跨学科的研究团队已经聚集在一起，他们将从事以下活动：1)化学合成具有定制特性的新分子，用于纳米机器组件；2)将新合成的分子粘附到制备的表面并展示机械功能；3)将光刻MEMS技术与碳生长技术结合起来，用碳纳米管制造机电驱动的分子马达。这一研究有望产生两种新的功能分子组合。第一种方法涉及化学工程分子设计，具有特定的机械功能。这项研究将得到一项强大的化学合成努力的支持，该努力旨在开发能够在外界刺激触发时发生构象变化的新型分子。第二类涉及多壁碳纳米管的工程，以形成新的机械分子技术的基础。这一努力有望在第一个功能性纳米管电机的演示中达到高潮。

CCR-0210176Crommie, MichaelThis proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 01-157, category NIRT. The main objective of this project is to develop and characterize mechanical devices at the nanoscale. This will be performed through the creation of new, synthetic molecular machines purposefully designed in a molecule-by-molecule fashion. In order to achieve this goal an interdisciplinary team of researchers has been gathered that will engage in the following activities:1) chemically synthesize new molecules having tailored properties to be used as nano-machine components, 2) adhere newly synthesized molecules to prepared surfaces and demonstrate mechanical functionality, 3) combine photolithographic MEMS technology with carbon growth techniques to create electro-mechanically actuated molecular motors from carbon nanotubes. Two new categories of functional molecular assemblies are expected to result from this research. The first involves chemically engineered molecules designed with specific mechanical functions in mind. This research thrust will be supported by a strong chemical synthesis effort aimed at the development of new classes of molecules able to undergo conformational changes when triggered by an outside stimulus. The second category involves the engineering of multi-wall carbon nanotubes to form the basis of a new mechano-molecular technology. This effort is expected to culminate in the demonstration of the first functional nanotube motor.