CCI Phase I: Center for Molecular Interfacing

分子界面中心（CMI）将通过使用石墨烯片和碳纳米管（CNTs）实现分子定义明确、可重复和坚固的连接，使宏观系统中控制良好的分子成分集成。这个跨学科和跨机构的研究团队将(1)研究具有机械可调节性、电解门控和光学通路的石墨烯-分子-石墨烯和碳纳米管-分子-碳纳米管器件的电学和光电特性；(2)利用原子力显微镜和STM表征分子-石墨烯界面；(3)使用先进的激光显微镜来识别和激发单个电接触分子。这项工作将通过开发新的实验平台和技术、精心设计和功能的分子结构的合成以及理论框架的发展来实现。基本的化学过程，如氧化还原反应中的自交换速率、电子转移的距离依赖和光致电子转移，都可以通过精确调节石墨烯-分子-石墨烯结构中的间距来研究。这些研究将为能源转换和储存、传感、信息技术和催化等技术的革命性进步提供知识基础。该项目将化学和物理结合在科学技术的前沿，为学生提供跨学科的合作研究训练。将特别强调在各级教育中征聘和保留妇女和人数不足的少数民族。波多黎各的幼儿将参加与波多黎各阿肯塔斯的卡萨·普韦布洛合作社合作开展的一项新颖的双语外展项目“分子与宏观相遇”。中心的研究人员还将参与当地的新闻专题、当地科学博物馆的演示和展览，以及其他公共宣传项目。化学创新中心（CCI）计划支持能够解决重大、长期基础化学研究挑战的研究中心，这些研究中心有很大可能产生变革性研究并导致创新。这些中心将吸引广泛的科学和公众兴趣。

The Center for Molecular Interfacing (CMI) will enable the integration of well-controlled molecular constituents within macroscopic systems by using graphene sheets and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to achieve molecularly well-defined, reproducible and robust connections. This interdisciplinary and inter-institutional team of researchers will (1) study electrical and opto-electronic properties of graphene-molecule-graphene and CNT-molecule-CNT devices with mechanical adjustability, electrolytic gating, and optical access; (2) use AFM and STM to characterize the molecule-graphene interface; and (3) use advanced laser microscopy to identify and excite individual electrically-contacted molecules. This work will be enabled by the development of novel experimental platforms and techniques, synthesis of molecular architectures of deliberate design and function, and the development of a theoretical framework. Fundamental chemical processes such as self-exchange rates in redox reactions, the distance dependence of electron transfer, and photoinduced electron transfer can all be studied by precisely modulating the spacing in graphene-molecule-graphene structures.These studies will provide the knowledge base to enable revolutionary advances in technologies such as energy conversion and storage, sensing, information technologies, and catalysis. The proposed work combines chemistry andphysics at the cutting edge of science and technology and provides students with collaborative interdisciplinary research training. Particular emphasis will be placed in the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities at all educational levels. Young children in Puerto Rico will participate in a novel bilingual outreach program "Molecules meet Macro" in partnership with the Casa Pueblo Cooperative in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Center researchers will also participate in local news features, demonstrations and exhibits at a local science museum, and other public outreach projects. The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers that can address major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges that have a high probability of both producing transformative research and leading to innovation. These Centers will attract broad scientific and public interest.