Folded, yet Stretchable Polymers as Molecular Yardsticks and Force Sensors: New Molecular Tools

美国国家科学基金会的大分子、超分子和纳米化学(MSN)计划支持华盛顿州立大学Alexander Li教授和他的团队开发用于测量分子间作用力的新分子工具的研究。这项研究使用折叠的，但可拉伸的低聚物/聚合物作为力传感器，以揭示在生物系统中发挥重要作用的分子力。分子力传感器的发展将为研究化学和生物系统提供有用的工具，并将促进我们对自组装系统的结构和动力学的了解。该项目为学生提供跨学科的研究培训。将举办科学讲习班，以提高初中生和高中生(包括来自社会经济困难家庭的学生)对科学的兴趣。

The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program at the National Science Foundation supports the research of Professor Alexander Li and his group at Washington State University to develop new molecular tools for measuring forces between molecules. This research investigates the use of folded, yet stretchable oligomers/polymers as force sensors for revealing molecular forces that play important roles in biological systems. The development of a molecular force sensor that can sense force applied over a defined distance (in nanometer scale) would provide a useful tool for studying chemical and biological systems and would advance our knowledge of structure and dynamics of self-assembled systems. This project provides interdisciplinary research training to students. Science workshops will be offered to arouse the interest of middle and high school students (including students from socio-economically disadvantaged families) in science.