Supramolecular Dynamics in Solution and in Gels

就复杂性和功能性而言，超分子化学占据了个体分子和宏观系统之间的空间。超分子系统的两个关键特征是：1)由分子构建块可逆组装成一个超分子；2)相互竞争的相关物种共存。这些特征是在非常复杂的宏观生命系统中所表现出来的。我的研究旨在了解超分子系统的动力学性质，并从动力学的角度为合理控制这些系统提供必要的概念。这种目前缺乏的动力学控制将为设计功能材料开辟新的途径，其中组件的动力学对功能至关重要。提出的研究处于基础研究的前沿，并不直接解决任何特定的功能，但其结果对任何超分子系统都有影响，其中构建块的结合和释放是功能的组成部分，例如膜运输，药物传递，催化或刺激反应材料。这项拟议中的研究与“系统化学”有关，在系统化学中，分子构建块的相互作用产生了单个组分无法单独实现的新特性。

Supramolecular chemistry occupies the space between individual molecules and macroscopic systems in terms of complexity and functionality. Two key features of supramolecular systems are: 1) the reversible assembly of a supermolecule from molecular building blocks and 2) the co-existence of related species that compete with one another. These characteristics are those exhibited in very complex macroscopic living systems. My research aims to understand the dynamic nature of supramolecular systems and will provide the concepts necessary for rational control of these systems from the kinetic point of view. Such kinetic control, which is currently lacking, will open new ways to design functional materials, where the dynamics of the components are essential for function. The research proposed is at the forefront of fundamental studies and does not directly address any particular function, but the outcomes have implications for any supramolecular system where binding and release of building blocks is integral to function, such as membrane transport, drug delivery, catalysis, or stimuli-responsive materials. The proposed research is allied with “systems chemistry”, in which interactions of molecular building blocks produce new properties that the individual components cannot achieve on their own.