U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science: Study of Charge-Transfer Coupling Dynamics in Liquid-Liquid Two-Phase Microparticles

0003744Mirkin该奖项支持纽约市立大学皇后学院的Michael Mirkin教授和日本京都大学的Takashi Kakiuchi教授之间为期三年的合作研究项目。研究人员将对液-液两相微粒的电荷转移耦合动力学进行研究。本提案的目标是将co-PI开发的几种独特的微电化学和光谱方法结合起来，用于表征两个不混相液相界面上的电荷转移过程。这些电化学和光学技术将用于探测两相微观颗粒中的非均相反应。这些微粒包括微乳液、生物细胞和细胞器以及磷脂囊泡。虽然这些系统非常不同，但它们的共同特征是存在微米或亚微米大小的液-液界面，或者是透明的，或者是被表面活性剂（如磷脂）的分子膜覆盖。主要重点将放在微观液体界面上电子转移（ET）和离子转移（IT）过程耦合的实验和理论研究上。为模型液体界面开发的方法将用于探索生物系统中电荷转移耦合的动力学。该项目汇集了两个具有互补专业知识和研究能力的实验室的努力。本研究结果将显著提高我们对液体界面电荷转移反应机制的理解，对生物细胞、传感器和生物医学系统具有重要意义。本研究通过博士后和研究生的参与促进了国际人力资源的发展。通过思想和技术的交流，该项目将扩大我们的基础知识基础，促进国际了解与合作。研究人员计划在科学期刊上发表他们的研究结果，并在科学会议上报告他们的发现。

0003744MirkinThis award supports a three-year collaborative research project between Professor Michael Mirkin, of CUNY's Queens College in New York and Professor Takashi Kakiuchi of Kyoto University in Japan. The researchers will undertake a study of charge-transfer coupling dynamics in liquid-liquid two-phase microparticles. The goal of this proposal is to combine several unique microelectrochemical and spectroscopic approaches developed by co-PI's for characterization of charge transfer processes at the interface between two immiscible liquid phases. These electrochemical and optical techniques will be used to probe heterogeneous reactions in two-phase microscopic particles. Among such microparticles are microemulsions, biological cells and organelles, and phospholipid vesicles. Although these systems are very different, their common feature is the presence of a micrometer or susbmicrometer-sized liquid-liquid interface either clear or covered with a molecular film of a surfactant (e.g., phospholipid). The main focus will be on experimental and theoretical studies of coupling of electron transfer (ET) and ion transfer (IT) processes at microscopic liquid interfaces. The approaches developed for model liquid interfaces will then be used to probe the dynamics of charge transfer coupling in biological systems.The project brings together the efforts of two laboratories that have complementary expertise and research capabilities. Results of this research should significantly improve our understanding of the mechanisms of charge transfer reactions at liquid interfaces with important implications for biological cells, sensors and biomedical systems. This research advances international human resources through the participation of postdocs and graduate students. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. The researchers plan to publish results of their research in scientific journals and report on the findings at scientific meetings.