NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in Japan

这项行动资助佛罗里达大学的Michael Schulz于2013年夏天在日本京都的京都大学开展数学和物理科学领域的研究项目。该项目的题目是“了解聚合物-金属混合物中结合和分子结构之间的联系”。主持人是Yoshiki Chujo。聚乙烯亚胺-甲基膦酸酯（PEI-MP）是一种阴离子聚合物——一种带负电荷的大分子——已被研究作为一种聚合物配体与某些金属结合，特别是放射性原子或放射性核素。然而，PEI-MP与放射性核素的结合在基础水平上尚不清楚。这个项目是用一个简化的小分子体系研究聚合物体系的各种潜在结合构型。等温滴定量热法（ITC）被用来测量每种结合模式的热力学参数。这一信息提供了一种见解，即哪种分子构型形成最稳定的配位配合物，即哪种分子构型最有效地结合不同的金属。在基础水平上了解PEI-MP的结合将允许合理设计和改进未来的聚合放射性核素载体。EAPSI奖学金的广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验；介绍该地区的科学、科学政策和科学基础设施；以及对社会、文化和语言的了解。这些活动符合美国国家科学基金会的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期培养国际合作，从而确保美国科学劳动力具有全球意识。此外，该研究员还表现出对本科教育的承诺，在EAPSI奖学金开始之前，让本科生参与所需的科学准备。他将包括本科生参与新的研究和合作，这些研究和合作是由与主持科学家的互动产生的。

This action funds Michael Schulz of the University of Florida to conduct a research project in the Math and Physical Sciences area during the summer of 2013 at Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan. The project title is "Understanding the Connection between Binding and Molecular Architecture in Polymer-Metal Mixtures." The host scientist is Yoshiki Chujo.Polyethyleneimine-methylphosphonate (PEI-MP) is an anionic polymer--a negatively charged large molecule--that has been studied as a polymeric ligand to bind to certain metals, specifically radioactivce atoms, or radionuclides. However, the binding of PEI-MP to radionuclides is not understood at a fundamental level. This project is studying various potential binding configurations of the polymer system with a simplified, small molecule system. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is being used to measure the thermodynamic parameters of each binding mode. This information provides insight into which molecular configurations form the most stable coordinate complexes, i.e., which are the most effective at binding to different metals. Understanding the binding of PEI-MP at a fundamental level will allow the rational design and improvement of future polymeric radionuclide carriers. Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, the Fellow has demonstrated a commitment to undergraduate education, involving undergraduate students in the scientific preparation required prior to the start of the EAPSI fellowship. He will include undergraduates in new research and collaborations that result from interactions with the host scientist as well.