Research area A: Adaptive molecular systems
A01
A01 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. The project will focus on the development of molecular photoswitches that enable out-of-equilibrium light-induced supramolecular materials as well as adaptive supramolecular materials that can be stimulated with visible light. Furthermore, we will advance photo-responsive N-heterocyclic carbenes towards the development of adaptive solid-state systems. Finally, we will explore the tunable relaxation time of photoswitches using chemical signals, so that adaptive systems self-regulated by light and redox or acidity can be realized.
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 Preparation of functionalized alternating polymers and their application as switchable and adaptive soft materials
Prof. Dr. Armido Studer - Organic Chemistry Insitute
Project description
Sequence control in synthetic polymers will be applied towards the design of responsive and adaptive soft materials. In the first funding period, we have developed practical methods for the preparation of alternating AB-type copolymers and ABC-type terpolymers through controlled radical polymerization. In the second funding period, we will focus on their application as switchable and adaptive soft materials, such as self-healing polymers, gels, and adhesives. Along with the alternating copolymers, we will investigate the corresponding block-copolymers and random copolymers and compare their material properties to elucidate the unique effect exerted by the sequence control of the polymers.
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
The project explores molecular building blocks that combine two different responsive units and show adaptation at both the molecular and supramolecular level. Using experimental and theoretical methods, we will expand the scope of these concepts to achieve advanced adaptation as well as network and memory effects. We will unravel whether electronic communication between the responsive units is a criterion for molecular adaptation and we will increase the system complexity by interfacing more than two stimuli. We will broaden our understanding to the supramolecular level to achieve adaptive self-assembled structures and to explore memory effects using changes in chirality, aggregate morphology, absorption and emission as readouts.
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
** PhD positions available **
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
This project is concerned with luminescent materials whose optical readouts respond to diverse external stimuli such as light, temperature, pressure, and electrochemical potential. This will be achieved by decorating responsive polymers with luminescent metal complexes. The design and synthesis of adequate ligands and metal complexes will be guided by ab initio calculations while molecular dynamics simulations will be performed to address their photo-triggered assembly. We aim to evolve these materials from being purely responsive to being adaptive by introducing the ability to process feedback or by exploiting memory effects. In the long term, this strategy will enable colour-coded information storage and processing in soft matter.
Alex Oster Multiscale Simulations of Responsive Materials | Doltsinis
Dominik Schwab Controlling the Photophysical Properties of Transition Metal Complexes | Doltsinis
A05
**PhD positions available**
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
In this project, photo-responsive anion receptors are developed, allowing photo-selective anion binding and photo-reversible anion availability. To achieve molecular adaptation, the coupling of light, anion binding and temperature will be applied as orthogonal stimuli, aiming to implement memory through complex pathways which result in different aggregation states of matter, depending on the order in which the stimuli are applied and involving an interplay of photoisomerization cycles with varying rates of adaptive anion binding. Aggregation tags on the host structure will further enable development of weakly interacting, tuneable components for adaptive soft materials such as supramolecular polymers and gels.
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 - ending in 2024
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