NIRT: Nanoscale Engineering and Manufacture Effected Through Molecular Architecture and Structure

这项研究的目标是开发允许分散和精确控制纳米对象组装成聚合物材料的技术，以用于下一代纳米结构材料和设备。其方法是整合一支在合成化学、表征、理论、计算机模拟和工程技能方面拥有技能的团队，他们能够对团队最近的发现做出快速反应，这些发现表明纳米级的热力学是不寻常的。NIRT活动的更广泛的教育和推广方面被认为是该计划最终成功的关键，将跨越几个学科：化学、物理和工程。为了创造一个真正多学科的环境，使学生能够茁壮成长，合成有机化学/聚合物化学(Wooley，Hawker)与纳米系统物理/理论(Tomanek，Frischknecht)、聚合物科学(Celina，Assink)和工程学(Mackay)的整合将通过各种机制实现：学生交流、年度会议、定期电话会议或网络会议以及参加国家会议。NIRTeam的成员已经开发了纳米技术的教学模块，除了我们之前成功的外展活动之外，其他课程也在开发中，例如Mackay和Wooley为小学生举办的讲座，以及名为“Nanotech Kids”的试用演示文稿，可在网站(www.nanEverthing.com)上查阅。我们建议通过与密歇根州立大学校园内的科学剧院合作，为公众创造舞台表演，将外展范围扩大到K-12和普通公众。最后，NIRTeam由敬业的研究人员组成，他们也将做出基础性的科学发现，并有能力将这些知识转化为工业现实。

The objective of this research is to develop technology that allows for dispersion and accurate control over assembly of nano-objects into polymeric materials for the next generation of nanostructured materials and devices. The approach is to integrate a team that has skills in synthetic chemistry, characterization, theory, computer simulation and engineering skills who can rapidly respond to recent discoveries made by the team which suggests unusual thermodynamics at the nanoscale.The broader educational and outreach aspects of the NIRT activities are considered critical to the ultimate success of this program and will cross several disciplines: chemistry, physics and engineering. To create a truly multidisciplinary environment in which students can thrive, integration of synthetic organic/polymer chemistry (Wooley, Hawker) with physics/theory of nanosystems (Tomanek, Frischknecht), polymer science (Celina, Assink) and engineering (Mackay) will be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms: exchange of students, an annual meeting, regular teleconferences or cyber meetings and participation in national meetings. Teaching modules in nanotechnology have already been developed by members of this NIRTeam and other courses are under development in addition to our previous successful outreach activities such as talks to elementary School children by Mackay and Wooley and a trial presentation entitled, "Nanotech Kids," is available on the web (www.nanoeverything.com). We propose to expand the outreach to K-12 and the general public by teaming with the Science Theatre located on the campus of Michigan State University to create stage shows for the public. Finally, this NIRTeam consists of dedicated researchers who will also make fundamental scientific discoveries and have the ability to translate this knowledge to industrial reality.