NIRT: Nanoscale Motors Powered by Catalytic Reactions

建议标题：NIRT：由催化反应提供动力的纳米马达建议编号：CTS-0506967主要调查者：Ayusman SenInstitution：宾夕法尼亚州立大学园区分析(决策的基本原理)：这项建议描述了一种跨学科的合作努力，以研究一类由催化反应驱动的新型纳米马达。纳米级移动系统目前是人们非常感兴趣的主题，部分原因是它们在纳米机械、纳米级组装、机器人、摩擦学、流体学和化学/生化传感方面的潜在应用。这一领域的大部分研究都集中在在人工系统中使用生物马达蛋白质，或使用外部动力的“分子马达”，如轮烷。然而，纳米马达可以“从头开始”建造，通过使用催化反应在化学梯度的基础上产生力来模拟生物马达。这些电机是自主的，因为它们不需要外部电场、磁场或光场作为能源。取而代之的是，输入的能量是在当地以化学方式提供的。这些研究将为未来催化驱动运动在纳米尺度上的应用提供科学依据。具体地说，这项研究将集中在：(1)探索可用于在纳米和微米尺度上将化学能转化为运动的催化反应的范围；(2)运动的化学、光化学和电磁切换；(3)纳米电机的能效和承载能力的基础工程研究；(4)基于催化反应产生的机械力的第一代装置，如齿轮组件、传感器和可切换的纳米和微米级泵。将实施一项教育推广计划，将新的努力与对已建立的NSF计划的关键贡献相结合。这些努力的重点是将与纳米级化学马达相关的跨学科纳米科学概念引入研究生和本科课程、中学暑期科学夏令营和科学教师讲习班。

AbstractProposal Title: NIRT: Nanoscale Motors Powered by Catalytic ReactorsProposal Number: CTS-0506967Principal Investigator: Ayusman SenInstitution: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park Analysis (rationale for decision):This proposal describes an interdisciplinary collaborative effort to study a novel class of nanoscale motors which are powered by catalytic reactions. Nanoscale moving systems are currently the subject of intense interest due in part to their potential applications in nanomachinery, nanoscale assembly, robotics, tribology, fluidics, and chemical/biochemical sensing. Most of the research in this area has focused on using biological motor proteins in artificial systems, or using "molecular motors" such as rotaxanes that are powered externally. However, nanomotors can be constructed "from scratch" which mimic biological motors by using catalytic reactions to create forces based on chemical gradients. These motors are autonomous in that they do not require external electric, magnetic, or optical fields as energy sources. Instead, the input energy is supplied locally and chemically. The studies will provide a scientific underpinning for future applications of catalytically driven motion on the nanometer length scale. Specifically, this research will focus on: (1) exploring the range of catalytic reactions that can be used to convert chemical energy to motion on the nanometer and micron length scales; (2) chemical, photochemical, and electro/magnetic switching of motion; (3) fundamental engineering studies on energy efficiency and load-bearing ability of the nanomotors; and (4) first-generation devices such as gear assemblies, sensors, and switchable nano- and microscale pumps based on the mechanical forces produced by catalytic reactions.An educational outreach program will be implemented that combines new efforts with key contributions to established NSF programs. These efforts focus on introducing cross-disciplinary nanoscience concepts related to nanoscale chemical motors into graduate and undergraduate courses, middle school summer science camps, and science teacher workshops.