CCI Phase I: NSF Center for Autonomous Chemistry

自然界中存在着许多自主或自治的过程。 其中一个例子是人体的免疫反应，其中白色血细胞搜索，感知和反应致病细菌或病毒。 具有这种自主能力的人造分子或纳米级系统是罕见的。受大自然的启发，NSF自主化学中心（CAC）确定了产生复杂操作的化学系统所需的结构和功能信号。该中心为这些新的自主系统开发设计指南，为传感，诊断，控释，药物输送，加密催化剂，食品安全和自我修复材料创造新的机会。除了研究生和博士后研究人员的高级科学培训外，NSF CAC还培训中心学生的创业和创新，以及与非专家的科学交流和不同受众的参与。 复杂环境中分子识别的自主调控是化学家面临的一个挑战。 生物系统使用分子和超分子网络来自主调节降解诱导的化学转化。NSF自主化学中心（CAC）通过确定生物启发的结构因子和分子设计准则来解决这一挑战，这些因子和准则允许能够自主操作的人工分子网络。NSF CAC汇集了设计和合成响应性超分子组装体、表征溶液和表面组装体以及将超分子事件转换为可读信号的专业知识。该团队还研究了逻辑门控响应系统，特定刺激诱导的形态和相变，二维表面的功能化，表面的表征及其与三维分子组装体的相互作用。由此产生的设计工具使下一代系统能够被纳入不同的应用。NSF CAC的学生接受研究的理论和实验方面的培训，以及21世纪世纪劳动力所必需的元技能。学生参加创业培训，重点是将基础研究转化为工业应用。 NSF CAC学生还接受科学传播培训，并担任科学大使，以不同的观众。

There are numerous autonomous or self-governing processes that exist in nature. One example is the human body's immune response where white blood cells search, sense, and react to disease-causing bacteria or viruses. Artificial molecular or nanoscale systems with such autonomous capabilities are rare. Inspired by Nature, the NSF Center for Autonomous Chemistry (CAC) identifies the structural and functional signals that are needed to generate autonomously-operating chemical systems. The center develops design guidelines for these new autonomous systems, creating new opportunities in sensing, diagnostics, controlled release, drug delivery, encrypted catalysts, food safety, and self-healing materials. In addition to advanced scientific training of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, the NSF CAC also trains center students in entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as in the communication of science to non-experts and the engagement of diverse audiences. Autonomous regulation of molecular recognition with recognition-induced chemical events in complex environments is a challenge for chemists. Biological systems use molecular and supramolecular networks to autonomously regulate recognition-induced chemical transformations. The NSF Center for Autonomous Chemistry (CAC) addresses this challenge by identifying the bio-inspired structural factors and molecular design guidelines that allow for artificial molecular networks that are capable of autonomous operation. The NSF CAC brings together expertise in the design and synthesis of responsive supramolecular assemblies, characterization of assemblies in solution and in surfaces, and transduction of supramolecular events into readable signals. The team also examines logic-gated responsive systems, specific stimulus-induced morphological and phase changes, functionalization of two-dimensional surfaces, and characterization of surfaces and their interaction with three-dimensional molecular assemblies. The resulting design tools enable the next generation systems to be incorporated into diverse applications. Students at the NSF CAC are trained in the theoretical and experimental aspects of the research, and also in meta-skills essential for the 21st century workforce. Students take entrepreneurship training focused on translating basic research for industrial applications. NSF CAC students also receive training in science communication and serve as Science Ambassadors to diverse audiences.