Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology

可持续纳米技术中心（CSN）能够对工程纳米颗粒表面与生物界面和组分接触时预期发生的特定分子相互作用进行基础研究。从纳米生物相互作用的分子和机制研究中获得的化学见解被用来有意地设计纳米材料，提供所需的技术功能，同时最大限度地减少对环境的潜在不利影响。CSN的研究导致了新一代更安全的纳米材料的引入，这些材料可能会影响经济的多个部门，包括能源、交通、电子、食品和农业。CSN通过提供专注于创新、沟通、领导和跨学科科学技能的教育和专业发展机会，培养新一代科学创新者。CSN的研究人员积极鼓励化学领域的多样性，通过CSN举办的研讨会来克服隐性偏见，招募研究生和博士后，以及为来自代表性不足的群体和资深本科生的学生和教师提供中心赞助的研究经验。CSN的研究人员鼓励公众参与的多样性，开发和实践非正式的沟通技巧，并扩展了非常成功的sustainable-nano.com博客，包括西班牙语内容、K-12活动材料、播客和视频。CSN将实验与计算结合在三个综合研究重点领域（rfa）。RFA1开发具有精确控制结构和性能的新材料，分子水平表征工具，如先进的非线性光学方法和亚衍射成像，以及从纳米到毫米的新型计算方法。RFA2使用RFA1工具包来理解、控制和预测纳米材料如何附着、穿透和改变细胞表面，使用脂质双分子层作为细胞膜的模型系统。RFA3决定了原始和环境转化的纳米材料与具有多种细胞化学的生命系统相互作用的分子过程，从单细胞到多细胞生物。这三种rfa的整合使中心能够确定纳米材料的特性和行为如何影响生物学结果。这些知识导致对现有和未来纳米材料的生物反应的可靠预测，并指导设计和合成安全、可持续的纳米材料。在追求项目目标的过程中，CSN特别强调了由复杂、复合纳米材料引发的合成、表征和分子水平的相互作用，这些材料正在新兴和未来的纳米商业技术中得到应用。可持续纳米技术中心是化学创新中心（CCI）项目的一部分。

The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology (CSN) enables fundamental studies of the specific molecular interactions expected to occur when the surfaces of engineered nanoparticles come into contact with biological interfaces and components. The chemical insight gained from molecular and mechanistic studies of nano-bio interactions is used to intentionally design nanomaterials that provide the desired technical functions while also minimizing potentially adverse consequences with the environment. CSN research leads to introduction of a new generation of safer nanomaterials that may impact multiple sectors of the economy including energy, transportation, electronics, food, and agriculture. The CSN prepares a new generation of scientific innovators by providing education and professional development opportunities focused on innovation, communication, leadership, and interdisciplinary scientific skills. CSN researchers actively encourage diversity within chemistry through CSN-run workshops on overcoming implicit bias, recruitment of graduate students and postdocs, and Center-sponsored research experiences for students and faculty from underrepresented groups as well as veteran undergraduates. CSN researchers encourage diversity in public engagement, develops and practices informal communication skills, and expands the highly successful sustainable-nano.com blog to include Spanish language content, K-12 activity materials, podcasts, and videos.CSN integrates experiments with computation in three integrated research focus areas (RFAs). RFA1 develops new materials with precisely controlled structure and properties, molecular-level characterization tools such as advanced non-linear optical methods and sub-diffraction imaging, and novel computational methods spanning length scales from nanometers to millimeters. RFA2 uses the RFA1 tool kit to understand, control, and predict how nanomaterials attach to, penetrate, and alter cell surfaces using lipid bilayers as model systems for cell membranes. RFA3 determines the molecular processes by which pristine and environmentally transformed nanomaterials interact with living systems with diverse cellular chemistries, ranging from single cell to multi-cellular organisms. The integration of these three RFAs enables the Center to establish how nanomaterial properties and behavior impact biological outcomes. This knowledge leads to reliable predictions of biological responses to existing and future nanomaterials and guides the design and synthesis of safe, sustainable nanomaterials. In pursuing the project goals, the CSN puts particular emphasis on the synthesis, characterization, and molecular-level interactions initiated by complex, composite nanomaterials that are being used in emerging and future nano-enabled commercial technologies.The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology is funded as part of the Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) program.