CBCI: Fueling the Future - Fabricating New Molecules and Materials for Renewable Energy

马萨诸塞州阿默斯特大学的Sankaran Thayumanavan、Scott奥尔巴赫、Jeanne哈代和Dhandapani Venkataraman以及耶鲁大学的Mark约翰逊得到了化学键合中心（CBC）第一阶段计划的一个奖项的支持，以开展解决质子传输几个基本方面的研究，分子水平的过程是许多重要的生物现象的基础，也是燃料电池中核心部件的功能。质子转移是一系列化学问题的关键方面，包括酸碱反应，能量储存和利用以及催化。该中心的重点是通过站点到站点的跳跃和明确的支架质子传导的化学研究。主要目标是（i）确定最佳官能团和质子转移的基本动力学;（ii）制造理想的支架，产生稳定和快速的质子传导。这项研究的一个重要应用领域是设计更好的燃料电池膜。 为了实现这一目标，CBC将创建一个基于网络的实体，即国家化学能源研究网络（NCERN），该网络将（i）作为能源研究人员和研究中心之间的动态界面;（ii）促进从事能源相关研究的化学家与公众之间的更好沟通。NCERN将促进维基页面的创建，并将主持关于这些主题的互动聊天。该中心通过NCERN的活动以及作为研究生和博士后的跨学科培训中心的功能产生了广泛的影响。

Sankaran Thayumanavan, Scott Auerbach, Jeanne Hardy and Dhandapani Venkataraman of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Mark Johnson of Yale University are supported by an award from the Chemical Bonding Centers (CBC) Phase I program to carry out research addressing several fundamental aspects of proton transport, the molecular level process which underlies a number of important biological phenomena as well as the functioning of a central component in fuel cells. Proton transfer is a key aspect of a broad array of chemical problems, including acid-base reactions, energy storage and utilization, and catalysis. The center is focusing its investigation of the chemistry of proton conduction via site-to-site jumps and well-defined scaffolds. The main objectives are to (i) identify optimal functional groups and the underlying dynamics of facile proton transfer; and (ii) fabricate ideal scaffolds that produce stable and rapid proton conduction. An important application area of this research is the design of better membranes for fuel cells. In keeping with this goal, the CBC will create a web-based entity, the National Chemical Energy Research Network, NCERN, that will (i) act as a dynamic interface among energy researchers and research centers; and (ii) foster better communication between chemists working on energy-related research and the general public. NCERN will facilitate the creation of wiki pages and will moderate interactive chats on these subjects. The center is having a broad impact both through the activities of NCERN as well as through its function as an interdisciplinary training center for graduate students and postdoctorals.