CCI Phase I: NSF Center for Autonomous Chemistry

自然界中存在着许多自治或自治的过程。一个例子是人体的免疫反应，白细胞搜索、感知并对致病细菌或病毒作出反应。具有这种自主能力的人工分子或纳米级系统非常罕见。受大自然的启发，美国国家科学基金会自主化学中心（CAC）确定了产生自主操作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制定了设计指南，在传感、诊断、控释、药物输送、加密催化剂、食品安全和自愈材料方面创造了新的机会。除了对研究生和博士后研究人员进行先进的科学培训外，NSF CAC还培训中心的学生进行创业和创新，以及向非专家进行科学交流和不同受众的参与。在复杂环境中，识别诱导的化学事件对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识别诱导的化学转化。美国国家科学基金会自主化学中心（CAC）通过确定生物启发的结构因素和分子设计指南来解决这一挑战，从而允许能够自主操作的人工分子网络。NSF CAC汇集了响应性超分子组装的设计和合成，溶液和表面组装的表征以及超分子事件转导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位变化、二维表面的功能化、表面的表征及其与三维分子组装的相互作用。由此产生的设计工具使下一代系统能够被整合到不同的应用中。NSF CAC的学生接受研究理论和实验方面的培训，同时也接受21世纪劳动力必备的元技能培训。学生们接受创业培训，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方面的培训，并担任面向不同受众的科学大使。

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.