Research area A: Adaptive molecular systems
A01
A01 New photoswitches for integration in adaptive nanosystems
Prof. Dr. Frank Glorius - Organic Chemistry Institute
Prof. Dr. Bart Jan Ravoo - Organic Chemisty InstituteProject description
Molecular photoswitches are versatile sensors and actuators for the development of intelligent matter. In this project we will design and prepare azo and spiropyran photoswitches as building blocks for the assembly of adaptive nanosystems. The project combines our expertise in the development of innovative photoswitches and surface ligands based on N-heterocyclic carbenes. These photoswitches will be immobilized on nanoparticles and patterned on surfaces using soft lithography. Furthermore, the photoswitches developed in this project will be integrated in a range of adaptive molecular systems, soft materials and solid-state nanosystems explored in the CRC.
Dr. Julius Gemen Adaptive Behaviour of Intertwined Chemical Reactions | Glorius
Arne Nalop On-surface chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbenes | Glorius
Bastian Stövesand Amphiphile Molecular Photoswitches for Adaptive Systems | Ravoo
A02
A02 Control of the primary and secondary structure in synthetic polymers to access adaptive soft materials
Prof. Dr. Armido Studer - Organic Chemistry Insitute
Project description
Methods for the alternating controlled radical copolymerization to access alternating ABC-type copolymers will be developed. Unique self-assembly behavior is expected for these soft materials. Adaptive materials using mechanophores as active functionalities will be prepared. Mechanical stress will alter the stiffness or the absorption properties in these materials. A second research line is devoted to the preparation of chiral rigid polymers with defined secondary structure by using anionic ring-opening polymerization of chiral donor-acceptor cyclopropanes. Chiral polymers bearing redox-active Ru-functionalities at their side chains will be synthesized and the material will be tested as a self-oscillating system where a defined periodical structural change is achieved and maintained in the presence of a chemical fuel.
Kirill Markelov Postfunctionalization of Terpolymers to Access Adaptive Soft Materials
Christophe Pauly Synthesis and Application of Nanostructures and Polymers
A03
A03 Interfacing self-assembly and multiple stimuli to create adaptive behaviour
Prof. Dr. Gustavo Fernández - Organic Chemistry Institute
Prof. Dr. Michael R. Hansen - Institute of Physical Chemistry
Prof. Dr. Johannes Neugebauer - Organic Chemistry InstituteProject description
Controlling the energy landscape of stimuli-responsive supramolecular materials remains a major challenge in the field of self-assembly. In this project, we aim at unravelling the effect of various triggers on supramolecular polymerization by detailed mechanistic insights. By interfacing supramolecular polymerization under controlled experimental conditions and a given stimulus, we will switch from responsive to adaptive behaviour on demand. The sequential application of multiple stimuli at defined intervals is expected to produce unprecedented functional supramolecular materials with oscillating, adaptive, sensing and memory behaviour.
Sebastian Baumert Stimuli-responsive and adpative (supra) molecular systems | Fernandez
Alejandro Martinez Multi-Stimuli Responsive Supramolecular Polymers Based on Halogen- and Hydrogen- Bonding Interactions | Fernandez
Sebastian Hochstädt NMR Characterization of Photo-Switchable Molecules and Systems | Hansen
Sabine Käfer Development and Application of Quantum Chemical Methods for Excited-State Processes in Complex Systems | Neugebauer
Niklas Niemeyer Responsive Environment Effects on Molecular Properties: Novel Approaches and Applications | Neugebauer
A04
A04 Developing tunable triplet emitters towards adaptive electroluminescent materials
Prof. Dr. Nikos Doltsinis - Institute of Solid State Theory
Prof. Dr. Cristian A. Strassert - Institute of Inorganic and Analytical ChemistryProject description
Light-emitting materials composed of photoluminescent metal-organic coordination compounds attached to metal nanoparticles or embedded in soft polymeric matrices will be developed. They will be controlled by and adapt to a variety of external stimuli such as light, temperature, pressure, mechanical force, and electrochemical potential. In turn, these features will enable them to act as sensors of environmental changes. In the long term, the developed concepts will enable color-coded information storage and processing by embedment in nanophotonic matrices and integration into neuromorphic architectures.
Alex Oster Multiscale Simulations of Responsive Materials | Doltsinis
Dominik Schwab Controlling the Photophysical Properties of Transition Metal Complexes | Doltsinis
A05
A05 Light-controlled anion-binding adaptive supramolecular systems
Prof. Dr. Olga García Mancheño -Organic Chemistry Institute
Prof. Dr. Monika Schönhoff - Institute of Physical ChemistryProject description
Photo-responsive azobenzene-triazole systems will be designed to allow Z-selective anion binding, resulting in photo-reversible switchable anion availability and catalytic activity. Peptide functionali-zation will enable supramolecular aggregates, with anion binding constants depending on the available space for isomerization and thus on the aggregation state. As a route towards adaptive materials we envision to implement memory by modifying aggregate structures based on the steric requirement of the azotriazole E and Z forms during repeated photoisomerization cycles. The ultimate goal is to construct materials with memory-controlled photo-responsive anion binding properties.
Leon Hoppmann New Design towards Remote Control in Asymmetric Anion-Binding Catalysis and Switchable Supramolecular Anion-Binders | Garcia-Mancheno
Leonard Wyszynski Light-Controlled Anion-Binding Supramolecular Systems | Schönhoff
A06
A06 A semi-synthetic nanosystem for programmable control of output based on rational design and directed evolution
Prof. Dr. Andrea Rentmeister - Institute of Biochemistry
Project description
In the first funding period, we will develop a system that senses different small molecules and actuates the formation of an output signal. The semi-synthetic nanosystem consists of a reaction network in aqueous solution and explores different feedback mechanisms to move from a responsive to an adaptive system that self-regulates the formation of metabolites, RNA, or protein and leads to a detectable output signal (e.g. fluorescence, enzymatic activity or proteinaceous material). Permanent or light-removable modifications of DNA will be tested as a molecular memory indicating which fuels the system has previously been exposed to. The long-term goal of this project is to realize adaptive behavior and learning capability, reminiscent of artificial synapses, by integrating this sensing-actuation system into photonic circuits or confined spaces, such as vesicles and nanofabrication approaches, and to be able to distinguish experienced systems from naïve ones.
Aileen Tekath Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Regulation of Biological Functions
Tess Vosman Designing Programmable Cascades by Regulating mRNA Translation