On-chip bio-opto-mechanics: Controlling phonon-assisted processes in single biomolecules

片上生物光力学：控制单个生物分子中的声子辅助过程

• 批准号: EP/V049011/2
• 负责人: Luca Sapienza
• 金额: $ 13.4万
• 依托单位: University of Cambridge
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FV049011%2F2
• 关键词: chip; bio; opto; mechanics; Controlling

Photosynthetic organisms rely on nano-scale molecular complexes to absorb sunlight and transfer the associated electronic excitation energy to initiate the chemical energy conversion steps that sustain life processes on Earth. Theoretical and experimental studies suggest that such light-harvesting complexes exploit, in a versatile manner, different molecular vibrations to optimise energy transfer processes. But how exactly vibrations affect the efficiency, directionality, and quantum properties of energy dynamics in photosynthetic units is yet to be fully understood. To gain this understanding it is necessary to develop scientific approaches that allow precise control and enhancement or suppression of specific vibrational motions of individual molecules. In this project, we will investigate, both theoretically and experimentally, the role of mechanical vibrations in the way bio-molecules transfer the energy that they can absorb from sunlight or, in our experiments, excitation laser sources.By investigating bio-molecules embedded within nano-fabricated devices that can control mechanical vibrations, we will shine new light onto the microscopic processes that control energy dynamics at the molecular scale. The knowledge created in this project will be the foundation to realise novel energy capture and transfer devices by taking advantage of our ability to reverse engineering natural processes.

光合生物依靠纳米级分子复合物吸收阳光，并转移相关的电子激发能，以启动维持地球生命过程的化学能量转换步骤。理论和实验研究表明，这种捕光复合物以多种方式利用不同的分子振动来优化能量转移过程。但是，振动究竟如何影响光合单位的能量动力学的效率、方向性和量子特性，还有待于完全理解。为了获得这种理解，有必要开发科学方法，允许精确控制和增强或抑制单个分子的特定振动运动。本项目将从理论和实验两方面研究机械振动在生物分子传递能量的过程中所起的作用。生物分子可以从太阳光或激发激光源中吸收能量。通过研究嵌入纳米制造设备中的生物分子，可以控制机械振动，我们将在分子尺度上为控制能量动力学的微观过程提供新的见解。在这个项目中创造的知识将是利用我们逆向工程自然过程的能力来实现新型能量捕获和传输设备的基础。