Comparative studies of electronic structure and dynamic process in model photosynthetic complexes using spectral hole burning and single complex spectroscopies

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。在化学系实验物理化学项目的支持下，堪萨斯州立大学的Ryszard Jankowiak教授将利用光谱烧孔(SHB)和单光合体光谱(SPCS)来研究集胞蓝藻两个光合体中的激子结构和激发能量转移(EET)过程。预计来自SBH数据的信息将为PSII核心和PSI-C43‘复合体的电子结构和EET动力学提供新的见解。主要目标是提高对EET过程和这两个光合作用系统中辅助因子的电子性质的理解，并扩大SHB的适用性。其基本原理是，更好地了解这些自然系统的结构-功能关系将进一步促进人工光伏设备的发展。其中一个关键目标是开发一种算法来(同时)模拟各种类型的光谱，以提高我们对光合作用复合体功能的理解。激子计算将使用可用的晶体结构来将实验结果与已知结构相关联，并提供对结构-功能关系的更多洞察。总而言之，将使用一些补充方法和新的方法来促进我们对光合作用的理解。扬科维亚克教授将非常关注来自代表不足群体的学生的参与，并将为高中生制定一个项目，以影响他们在生命的早期追求科学事业。每年将为来自堪萨斯州的高中生和化学教师组织一次化学研讨会。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Under this award, supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Ryszard Jankowiak from Kansas State University will use spectral hole-burning (SHB) and single photosynthetic complex spectroscopy (SPCS) to study excitonic structure and excitation energy transfer (EET) processes in two photosynthetic complexes from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis. It is anticipated that information from SBH data will provide new insights into the electronic structure and EET dynamics of the PSII core and PSI-C43' complexes. The key goals are to improve understanding of EET processes and the electronic properties of the cofactors in these two photosynthetic systems, and to broaden applicability of SHB. The rationale is that a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of these natural systems will further facilitate the development of artificial photovoltaic devices. One of the key objectives is to develop an algorithm to (simultaneously) model various types of optical spectra to improve our understanding of the functioning of photosynthetic complexes. Excitonic calculations will be performed using available crystal structures to correlate experimental results with known structures and to provide more insight into the structure-function relationship. In summary, a number of complementary methods and new approaches will be used to advance our understanding of photosynthesis. Professor Jankowiak will devote considerable attention to the involvement of students from under-represented groups and will develop a program for high school students to influence them early in life to pursue careers in science. A Chemistry Symposium will be organized once a year for high schools students and chemistry teachers from Kansas.