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1000亿美元的行业，几乎影响到日常生活的方方面面：从交通运输到消费品再到医疗保健。这些材料是由长长的单独的聚合物分子组成的，这些分子连接成一个网络，形成了主体材料。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著的性质，并控制它们之间的联系。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著特性转化为聚合物网络的新特性。它推动配方和制造方面的创新，可能导致开发坚固、寿命更长的材料，减少浪费，同时完美地为其使用量身定做。该中心的更广泛影响包括对新兴聚合物化学领域的年轻科学家进行跨学科技术培训，以及交流和创业经验，为中心受训人员未来的职业生涯奠定基础。最后，该中心与社区学院合作，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群传播可获得的各种职业机会，鼓励更广泛地参与科学。MONet的范围包括量化结构-活性关系，将聚合物网络韧性与单个网络链的韧性、网络的分子结构以及动态链交换反应的机制和空间组织联系起来。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、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--凝胶属性全球索引)。在基础知识、技术能力和信息学战略方面的综合收获解决了一个主要的化学知识缺口。Monet阐述了精确控制的聚合物链长的作用，聚合物链的分子力学响应，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链的影响。所获得的知识为为聚合物网络带来非凡性质的战略提供了信息，通过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性质。该奖项的主要更广泛的影响包括开发聚合物网络数据库，为培养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交流。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.