CCI Phase I: Center for Chemistry of the Universe

CCI 第一阶段：宇宙化学中心

• 批准号: 0847919
• 负责人: Brooks Pate
• 金额: $ 150万
• 依托单位: University of Virginia Main Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-10-01 至 2012-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0847919&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CCI; Phase; Center; Chemistry; Universe

This Phase I CCI will place chemistry at the center of research efforts to describe the molecular composition of the universe. The Center for Chemistry of the Universe will assemble a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary group of researchers to investigate and understand chemical processes in the interstellar medium. The chemistry occurring under the unique conditions of the interstellar medium produces the initial molecular starting materials for solar system formation. This chemistry, which produces a surprisingly rich set of common organic molecules along with more exotic reactive species, also supplies the molecules in meteorites and comets that may deliver the building blocks of life to young planets. Understanding this chemistry will require the development of high-speed broadband mm-wave spectrophotometers for chemical identification as well as new methods to probe chemical reactivity in cold gases and on surfaces. The Center will establish connections between fields such as combustion chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and materials processing that share the theme of "chemistry under extreme conditions." The Center will provide a team-oriented, collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment for graduate student and postdoctoral researchers. Synergistic center activities capitalize on the broad appeal of the space sciences and include a summer undergraduate research program, a university-level general science course, new web materials for the general public and display materials for out-of-school time programs in science centers and museums.The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers that can address major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges that have a high probability of both producing transformative research and leading to innovation. These Centers will attract broad scientific and public interest.

这个第一阶段CCI将把化学放在描述宇宙分子组成的研究工作的中心。宇宙化学中心将召集一个多机构、多学科的研究小组来调查和了解星际介质中的化学过程。在星际介质的独特条件下发生的化学作用产生了太阳系形成的最初分子起始物质。这种化学产生了一系列令人惊讶的丰富的常见有机分子以及更奇异的活性物种，也提供了陨石和彗星中的分子，这些分子可能会为年轻的行星带来生命的基石。了解这种化学将需要开发用于化学鉴定的高速宽带毫米波光谱仪以及探测冷气体和表面上的化学反应的新方法。该中心将在燃烧化学、大气化学和材料加工等领域建立联系，这些领域的主题都是“极端条件下的化学”。该中心将为研究生和博士后研究人员提供一个面向团队、合作和多学科的研究环境。协同中心的活动利用了空间科学的广泛吸引力，包括暑期本科生研究计划、大学水平的普通科学课程、面向普通公众的新网络材料以及科学中心和博物馆的校外时间计划展示材料。化学创新中心(CCI)计划支持能够应对重大的、长期的基础化学研究挑战的研究中心，这些研究中心既有可能产生变革性研究，也有可能导致创新。这些中心将吸引广泛的科学和公众兴趣。