CCI Phase I: NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks

合成聚合物和塑料构成了一个价值1000亿美元的产业，影响着日常生活的几乎每一个方面：从交通运输到消费品再到医疗保健。 这些材料由长的单个聚合物分子组成，这些分子连接在形成块状材料的网络中。 近年来，化学家们已经学会了如何在单个聚合物分子中产生显着的特性，并控制它们之间的连接。 分子优化网络化学中心（MONET）正在开发知识和方法，将分子水平上现有的显着特性转化为聚合物网络的新特性。 它推动了配方和制造方面的创新，有可能导致开发出坚韧、寿命更长的材料，从而减少浪费，同时完美地适应其用途。 该中心的更广泛的影响包括跨学科的技术培训，为年轻科学家在聚合物化学的新兴领域，以及沟通和创业经验，定位中心学员未来的职业生涯。最后，该中心与社区学院合作，以提高公众对科学创新的社会影响的认识，同时通过向不同的社区学院人口宣传可获得的职业机会范围，鼓励更广泛地参与科学。MONET的范围包括定量结构-活性关系，将聚合物网络韧性与单个网络链的韧性联系起来，网络的分子结构，以及动态链交换反应的机制和空间组织。这些目标是通过独特的方法组合来实现的，包括精密聚合物合成，单分子光谱学，配位化学，光化学开关以及新理论模型和方法的开发和应用。此外，正在建立聚合物条目的原型数据库和数字符号（GIGA -全球凝胶属性索引）。在基础知识、技术能力和信息战略方面的综合收益解决了一个主要的化学知识缺口。MONET解决了精确控制的聚合物链长的作用，聚合物链的分子机械响应，以及聚合物链在动态网络中交换的机制，以及分子尺度网络缺陷对每个的影响。所获得的知识为聚合物网络带来显着特性的策略提供了信息，将它们视为复杂但可理解的化学系统，可以利用它们来产生目前无法获得的集体特性。该奖项的主要影响包括聚合物网络数据库的开发、为发展中科学家提供技术培训和专业发展，以及向不同受众进行科学传播。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Synthetic polymers and plastics make up a $100 billion industry and impact almost every aspect of daily life: from transportation to consumer products to health care. These materials are made up of long, individual polymer molecules that are connected in a network that forms the bulk material. In recent years, chemists have learned how to produce remarkable properties in the individual polymer molecules and control the connections between them. The Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET) is developing the knowledge and methods to translate the remarkable properties now available at the molecular level to new properties of polymer networks. It fuels innovation in formulation and manufacturing, potentially leading to the development of tough, longer-lived materials that reduce waste while being perfectly tailored to their use. The broader impacts of the Center include interdisciplinary technical training for young scientists across emerging areas of polymer chemistry, and communication and entrepreneurship experiences that position Center trainees for future careers. Finally, the Center partners with community colleges to increase public awareness of the societal impact of science innovation while simultaneously encouraging broader participation in the sciences by communicating the range of career opportunities available to the diverse community college population.The scope of MONET comprises quantitative structure-activity relationships that relate polymer network toughness to the toughness of individual network strands, the molecular architecture of the network, and the mechanism and spatial organization of dynamic strand exchange reactions. These objectives are pursued through a unique combination of methods, including precision polymer synthesis, single molecule spectroscopy, coordination chemistry, photochemical switching, and the development and application of new theoretical models and methods. In addition, a prototype database and digital notation for polymer entry (GIGA - the Global Index of Gel Attributes) is being established. The combined gains in fundamental knowledge, technical capability, and informatics strategy address a major chemical knowledge gap. MONET addresses the role of precisely controlled polymer chain length, the molecular mechanical response of a polymer chain, and the mechanisms by which polymer strands exchange in dynamic networks, as well as the influence of molecular scale network defects on each. The knowledge gained informs strategies to bring remarkable properties to polymer networks, by treating them as complex but understandable chemical systems that can be harnessed to produce currently inaccessible collective properties. Key broader impacts of this award include the development of a polymer network database, technical training and professional development for developing scientists, and science communication to diverse audiences.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.