Tailoring the Multiscale Organization of Self-Assembled Materials via a Systems-Level Approach
Abstract
Publicly Releasable Abstract The physical and chemical properties of materials are derived from their structural organization across, multiple length scales. Complete control over these properties therefore involves making and breaking chemical bonds, precisely dic,tating nanoscale ordering and microstructure, and forming the materials into the appropriate macroscopic geometries. A single ma,als synthesis and processing route capable of intentionally manipulating all of these structural features would provide a powerful m,aterials fabrication method for multiple materials and applications with Naval relevance. The major challenge, however, is that most, material synthetic methods focus on just one length scale at a time. A more holistic method of dictating each of these length sca,les structures would involve not only understanding the thermodynamics and kinetics affecting each piece of a materials synthesis,, but also how those pieces behave when organized as a collective group. While Nature commonly uses this design principle to coordina,te the structures and properties across biomolecules, cells, and whole organisms, artificial materials lack methods to achieve the s,quire new synthetic routes and basic scientific investigations that look beyond the chemistry and physics of isolated chemical bonds, or nanostructures. Here we proposed to develop systems-level approaches to materials synthesis, aimed at establishing fundamental, scientific knowledge on hierarchical materials and using this information to tailor material mechanical response for applications t,hat enhance Naval readiness. This work builds on our recently developed nanoparticle assembly technique that uses supramolecular che,mistry and macroscopic processing methods to manipulate material organization at the molecular, nano, micro, and macroscopic length,scales simultaneously. Our proposed work will allow us to examine the basic science behind the collective behavior of self-assemblin,g systems, where nanoscale building blocks generate micro- and macroscale structural motifs, and these larger scale motifs in turn m,odulate the thermodynamics and kinetics of nanoscale assembly. Critical questions include: How systems of supramolecular bonds influ,ence the nanoscale organization of self-assembling nanoparticles, and how this nanoscale organization affects the thermodynamics and, kinetics of systems of multivalent supramolecular bonds. How nanoscale assemblies can be processed into macroscopic structures, and, how macroscopic forces can manipulate the chemical forces dictating assembly. How chemical bonding, microstructure, and macroscopic, form collectively dictate the thermodynamics of materials under stress, specifically in the context of mechanical behavior. The bas,ic scientific principles discovered here will enable materials with tailored mechanical response for use as protective coatings or s,tructural supports. They will also constitute major additions to our understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of self-assemb,led materials, where an entire system must be examined and understood to fully explain and tailored the physical properties of the, resulting material. These discoveries will be conducted in a hypothesis driven manner that allows us to extrapolate design principl,es that can be applied to numerous other nanoparticle or supramolecular materials, including those currently employed in real-world,applications. We there therefore predict that this work will have major impact in both basic scientific understanding and the develo,pment of tailored materials for Navy-relevant applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212148
Entities
People
- Robert J Macfarlane
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy