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Highlights

Highlights

Enhancing lithium-ion transport in solid-state polymer electrolytes using electron-deficient imidazole ligands. Our study indicates that steric and electronic ligand properties are critical for enhancing lithium-ion diffusion and transport.
Enhancing lithium-ion transport in solid-state polymer electrolytes using electron-deficient imidazole ligands. Our study indicates that steric and electronic ligand properties are critical for enhancing lithium-ion diffusion and transport.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Electron-Deficient Imidazoles in Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes

Andrei Nikolaev, Peter M. Richardson, Shuyi Xie, Luana Llanes, Seamus D. Jones, Hengbin Wang, Rachel A. Segalman, Raphaële J. Clément, and Javier Read de Alaniz  (UC Santa Barbara)
Solid-state polymer electrolytes offer a safer alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries based on organic electrolytes. However, current benchmark polymer electrolytes lack ion transport selectivity (t+ = 0.2) which limits their commercial use. We demonstrate the enhancement of lithium-ion transport (t+ = 0.48) of PMS-based polymers by taking advantage of the steric and electronic properties of imidazole ligands.
Multiphase droplet of flexible single-stranded DNA (green) and rigid double-stranded DNA (red), demonstrating the key role of mechanical properties in phase behavior. Right: Water-in-oil emulsion droplets containing DNA coacervate droplets; we have invented a method to quantify the phase diagram from such images.
Multiphase droplet of flexible single-stranded DNA (green) and rigid double-stranded DNA (red), demonstrating the key role of mechanical properties in phase behavior. Right: Water-in-oil emulsion droplets containing DNA coacervate droplets; we have invented a method to quantify the phase diagram from such images.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Selecting for Phase-Separating Nucleic Acid Coacervates

Complex coacervation is a process in which oppositely charged macro-molecules in solution condense into dense liquids. While primarily driven by charge effects or, with DNA, basepairing, other macromolecular traits are likely to have strong effects. This Seed project leverages modern tools of DNA sequence control and biochemistry to study the fundamental physical principles underlying coacervation,
The BioPacific MIP SAXS/WAXS beamline. The six-meter long platform instrument is custom designed and constructed by a research and development team that has been supporting the MRL X-ray Diffraction facility. Many design elements were inspired by the original SAXS/WAXS instrument built by the same team in the MRL X-ray Facility.
The BioPacific MIP SAXS/WAXS beamline. The six-meter long platform instrument is custom designed and constructed by a research and development team that has been supporting the MRL X-ray Diffraction facility. Many design elements were inspired by the original SAXS/WAXS instrument built by the same team in the MRL X-ray Facility.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Development of a high brilliance laboratory SAXS/WAXS beamline

In collaboration with the newly established NSF BioPacific MIP, the MRL X-ray facility team spearheaded the development of an SAXS-WAXS (small and wide angle x-ray scattering) laboratory beamline with unparalleled beam brightness for high throughput characterization of biopolymers and nanostructures.
Strong coupling between a topological insulator and a III-V heterostructure at terahertz frequency
Strong coupling between a topological insulator and a III-V heterostructure at terahertz frequency
May 16, 2022
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

Strong coupling between a topological insulator and a III-V heterostructure at terahertz frequency

D. Q. To, M.F. Doty, S. Law, J.M.O. Zide, A. Janotti (University of Delaware) and G.W. Bryant (NIST), University of Delaware MRSEC DMR-2011824
This research focuses on theoretical prediction of strong coupling between the THz excitations in a topological insulator (TI) and a III-V quantum well, providing a potential material platform for optoelectronic device applications in the THz frequency domain.
Computational Design of Tetrahelical Peptide Bundle Variants Spanning a Wide Range of Charge States
Computational Design of Tetrahelical Peptide Bundle Variants Spanning a Wide Range of Charge States
May 16, 2022
Big Idea: Synthetic Materials Biology, Understanding the Rules of Life

Computational Design of Tetrahelical Peptide Bundle Variants Spanning a Wide Range of Charge States

R. Guo (University of Pennsylvania), N. Sinha, R. Misra, C. Kloxin, G. Jensen, D. Pochan (University of Delaware), J. Saven (University of Pennsylvania) [University of Delaware MRSEC DMR-2011824]
The resarch focus of this effort involved computationally designing a homotetrameric helical bundle to have a variety of net charges. The charged bundle variants showcase how charge state can be controlled for a common peptide structure, as well as the properties of the fibril nanomaterials constructed by the peptide building blocks.
Spatiotemporal control of active materials
Spatiotemporal control of active materials
May 14, 2022
Big Idea: Understanding the Rules of Life

Spatiotemporal control of active materials

Biological cells control spatial and temporal generation of active stresses to achieve diverse sought-after functionalities ranging from motility to cell division. Motivated by these observations IRG2 goal is to control of spatiotemporal patterns of active stresses and to endow soft materials with lifelike functionalities.
Self-assembling DNA Origami Shells
Self-assembling DNA Origami Shells
May 14, 2022
Big Idea: Understanding the Rules of Life

Self-assembling DNA Origami Shells

S. Fraden, M. Hagan, W. Rogers: Brandeis University; G. Grason: U. Mass. Amherst; H. Dietz: Tech. Universität München
The self-assembly of biological molecules into large, but finite-size, superstructures is fundamental to life. A grand challenge for colloidal self-assembly is to produce colloidal monomers with valence-limited interactions, that have arbitrary angles and strengths, to produce structures with the precision, complexity and functionality of biological assemblies.
Superatom Regiochemistry Dictates the Assembly and Surface Reactivity of a Two-Dimensional Material
Superatom Regiochemistry Dictates the Assembly and Surface Reactivity of a Two-Dimensional Material
May 14, 2022
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

Superatom Regiochemistry Dictates the Assembly and Surface Reactivity of a Two-Dimensional Material

Colin Nuckolls, Xavier Roy, Columbia University Center for Precision-Assembled Quantum Materials
The area of two-dimensional (2D) materials research would benefit greatly from the development of synthetically tunable van der Waals (vdW) materials. While the bottom-up synthesis of 2D frameworks from nanoscale building blocks holds great promise in this quest, there are many remaining hurdles, including the design of building blocks that reliably produce 2D lattices and the growth of macroscopic crystals that can be exfoliated to produce 2D materials.
Crossover between strongly coupled and weakly coupled exciton superfluids
Crossover between strongly coupled and weakly coupled exciton superfluids
May 14, 2022
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

Crossover between strongly coupled and weakly coupled exciton superfluids

Cory Dean, Columbia University Center for Precision-Assembled Quantum Materials (PAQM)
We studied graphene double layers separated by an atomically thin insulator. Under applied magnetic field, electrons and holes couple across the barrier to form bound magneto-excitons. Using temperature-dependent Coulomb drag and counterflow current measurements, we were able to tune the magneto-exciton condensate through the entire phase diagram from weak to strong coupling.
On the left is a figure of a honeycomb type lattice of points. On the right is a set of plots of electrical resistance of the material as a function of the magnetic field. The curves all pass close to the origin of the axes. Some are nearly flat, and some look like a step.
On the left is a figure of a honeycomb type lattice of points. On the right is a set of plots of electrical resistance of the material as a function of the magnetic field. The curves all pass close to the origin of the axes. Some are nearly flat, and some look like a step.
May 12, 2022
Big Idea: Growing Convergence Research

Quantum anomalous Hall effect in atomically-thin semiconductor layers

Analogous to a superconductor, the quantum anomalous Hall effect can transport electrons in a sample without dissipating any energy. The effect has been proposed as an important element for quantum circuitry, quantum computing and a standard for fundamental constants of physics. Unfortunately, it often emerges only at temperatures near absolute zero (~ 0.1 K).

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