NIRT: Synthesis, Actuation and Control of Single-Molecule Nanocars

这项研究的目的是开发外部电子和光学方法来控制成像、传感、推进和驱动纳米汽车和纳米卡车，并设计理论模型来预测这些小型结构的运动和输出。该方法是合成新的纳米汽车实体，适合滚动运动，易受电子操纵，使用大量显微镜成像，并设计理论模型来预测机制，运动范围和从真正的纳米级单分子机器中提取的功输出。智力优势：点与点之间的货物和材料运输是现实世界系统中所有工程和建设的核心。随着研究人员深入到纳米级世界的竞技场，它召唤着他们学会以类似的方式操纵和运输纳米级材料。这项工作概述了一种在纳米级水平上控制纳米车运动的方法，从而为未来自下而上的纳米级结构铺平了道路。更广泛的影响：上述研究计划将与NanoKids计划的教育和推广工作相结合，从而扩大该计划对6-12年级学生和教师、本科生、研究生以及传统上未被充分代表的科学和工程群体的影响。它利用纳米科学的吸引力来介绍化学、物理和生物学的基本概念，包括这些概念最终如何进入市场，从而影响日常生活。资助这项工作将为未来的建设提供道路，同时为从中学到研究生的教育奠定基础。

James Tour The objective of this research is to develop external electronic and optical methods for controllably imaging, sensing, propelling and actuating nanocars and nanotrucks and to devise theoretical models for predicting the motion and output from these diminutive structures. The approach is to synthesize new nanocar entities that are suitable for rolling motion and susceptible to electronic manipulation, imaging using a host of microscopies and devising theoretical models for predicting the mechanisms, range of motion and work output extractable from truly nano-sized single-molecule machines. Intellectual merit:Transport of goods and materials between points is at the heart of all engineering and construction in real-world systems. As researchers delve into the arena of the nano-sized world, it beckons that they learn to manipulate and transport nanometer-scale materials in a similar manner. This proposed work outlines a method to control the motion of nanocars at the nanoscale level, and thereby pave the way for future bottom-up nanoscale construction. Broader Impact: The research plan outlined above will be leveraged with education and outreach efforts using the NanoKids program, thereby multiplying this program's impact on grades 6-12 students and teachers, undergraduate students, graduate students, and traditionally underrepresented groups in the sciences and engineering. This uses the attractiveness of nanoscale science to introduce fundamental concepts in chemistry, physics and biology including how those concepts eventually make their way into the marketplace thus impacting everyday life. Funding this work will provide a path to future construction while laying groundwork for education from middle school to post graduate studies.