| NSF Org: |
DMR Division Of Materials Research |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | August 28, 2013 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 14, 2018 |
| Award Number: | 1307674 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Germano Iannacchione
giannacc@nsf.gov (703)292-4431 DMR Division Of Materials Research MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2013 |
| End Date: | June 30, 2019 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $900,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $969,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2014 = $235,000.00 FY 2015 = $190,000.00 FY 2016 = $130,000.00 FY 2018 = $69,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1500 HORNING RD KENT OH US 44242-0001 (330)672-2070 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
OH US 44242-0001 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): |
CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SOLID STATE & MATERIALS CHEMIS |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001415DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001516DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001617DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001819DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Non-Technical Abstract
Small, elongated organic molecules are the archetypal materials behind today's $100 billion/yr liquid crystal display industry. When the shape of these molecules is made less symmetrical - e.g., by introducing a kink in their central core or a branching of an otherwise linear structure - they often spontaneously form nanometer size domains that are more ordered than the overall, macroscopic material, which still exhibits an essentially fluid-like behavior. This interesting dichotomy across length scales can be exploited to produce novel, easily processible structured fluids with potential for new technologies much broader than electro-optical displays - technologies ranging from unique soft actuators to personal-scale green power generation. This project will enhance existing, and develop and demonstrate new, experimental and analytical tools and procedures to connect short-range order in low symmetry molecular systems to larger scale properties of potentially significant technological impact. It will also aim to synthesize and characterize a completely new class of reduced-symmetry complex fluids based on combining the exquisite length tunability of DNA duplexes with the bent-shaped molecular structures that have revitalized research in the liquid crystal field in recent years. Undergraduate and graduate students will be mentored through a rare 'trifecta' of cross-disciplinary exposure (physics, chemical physics, and chemistry), regular opportunities for participation in international research collaboration, and a balance of cutting-edge small and large (national) scale laboratory experience.
Technical Abstract
This project, supported by the Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) and Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) Programs will pursue materials' synthesis and experimental studies of orientationally-ordered fluids composed of complex-shaped molecular constituents, ranging from reduced-symmetry liquid crystal monomers and dimers to lyotropic solutions in which tunable-length DNA duplexes are combined with a bent-shaped aromatic core structure in a novel approach to produce a reduced-symmetry nematic fluid. The project will test the generality of the concept that reducing the symmetry of particles significantly enhances the nature and degree of nanoscale ordering among them (effecting, e.g., a biaxial, polar, or chiral nanostructure), while the overall system maintains higher (fluid-like) symmetry at the macroscopic scale. The response of these materials to external fields (electro-optical and electro-mechanical responses in particular) will be assessed for potential technological applications. The investigation will employ a variety of techniques aimed at: i) detailing the nanostructure, using synchrotron X-ray facilities (including NSLS-II) and direct imaging via cryo-TEM methods, and ii) connecting short-range structure to macroscopic properties, utilizing sensitive optical probes and external electric and magnetic fields. Undergraduate and graduate students will be mentored through a combination of cross-disciplinary exposure (physics, chemical physics, and chemistry), a balance of cutting-edge small and large (national) scale laboratory experience, and regular opportunities for participation in international research collaboration.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The major goals of this project were to increase our understanding of how complex matter gets organized. Specifically, "liquid crystalline" materials can flow like ordinary liquids, but also have some degree of organization that is normally associated with solid materials. While liquid crystals have been known for over a hundred years and used in various technologies for over fifty years, there are still new types of liquid crystals being discovered.
More specifically, the new liquid crystal types recently discovered have some common themes in their molecular shapes. We have studied a wide class of materials having microscopic structures that combine both rigid and flexible elements. For example, we have studied a molecule made up of two short and rigid double-helix DNA strands that are linked together by an even shorter and very flexible single-strand nucleic acid bridge. We found that this preparation forms a layered-type liquid crystal state that has never before been seen in short-strands of DNA.
In order to study these fascinating materials, we used a wide variety of methods, including optics, x-ray scattering, atomic-force microscopy, and measurements of flow properties. Furthermore, much of this research was carried out at the Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory. This science program afforded the opportunity for many junior researchers to gain valuable experience not only on a wide variety of advanced techniques, but also to work at the nation's premier facilities.
Last Modified: 07/08/2019
Modified by: James T Gleeson
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
