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

基本信息

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

项目摘要

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.

光合生物依赖于纳米级分子复合物来吸收阳光并传递相关的电子激发能，以启动维持地球生命过程的化学能转化步骤。理论和实验研究表明，这种轻度收获的复合物以多才多艺的方式利用不同的分子振动来优化能量传递过程。但是，如何确切地影响光合单元中能量动力学的效率，方向性和量子性能尚未完全了解。为了获得这种理解，有必要开发科学方法，以允许精确控制和增强或抑制单个分子的特定振动运动。在这个项目中，我们将在理论上和实验上研究机械振动在生物分子的方式中的作用，它们可以传递它们可以从阳光中吸收的能量，或者在我们的实验中，激发激光来源。通过调查嵌入纳米型机械振动中的生物分子的生物分子，我们可以将生物分子嵌入到新的设备中，我们可以控制机械振动，从而闪闪发光，我们可以将其闪闪发光的机械转换为新的闪光，从而闪闪发光，使得闪闪发光的机械弹性。分子尺度。该项目中创建的知识将是通过利用我们反向工程自然过程的能力来实现新颖能量捕获和传输设备的基础。