Exploring Photomechanical Molecular Switching at Surfaces

The possible reduction of mechanical devices to molecular length scales provides many exciting possibilities for enhanced speed, device density, and new functionality. Optical actuation of nanomechanical systems through the conversion of light to mechanical motion is particularly desirable because it promises reversible, ultra-fast remote operation. Past studies in this area have mainly focused on solution-based molecular machine ensembles, but surface-bound photomechanical molecules are expected to be important for future applications in this area.

Ultrafast Dynamics of Polyatomic Molecules in Condensed Phases: Combined Experimental and Computational Studies

Small polyhalogenated methanes (difluorodiiodomethane, dibromomethane, and iodoform) are used as model systems to investigate various ultrafast condensed phase photo-induced phenomena. The complexity of the phenomena encountered in such studies requires the use of several experimental and computational approaches. Results of fs-transient absoption spectroscopy, ps-transient resonance Raman spectroscopy, and matrix isolation experiments along with ground and excited state ab initio calculations will be discussed in this context.

Quantum Phenomena of Photosynthetic Excitons

Photosynthesis has evolved with the ability to transfer energy through a network of pigment-protein complexes with near-unity quantum efficiency. One proposed mechanism integral to this process requires the quantum-mechanical, wavelike transfer of energy through coherent superpostions of delocalized electronic excitation (excitons). Two-dimensional Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy can isolate quantum excitonic coherence and is employed to investigate different photosynthetic complexes from both bacterial and plant species.

Electrically switchable DNA layers for the detection and sizing of protein targets on a chip

Electrically switchable DNA layers for the label-free detection and sizing of protein targets on a chip Ulrich Rant Walter Schottky Institute, Technical University Munich We introduce a chip-compatible scheme for the label-free detection of proteins in real- time that is based on the electrically driven conformation-switching of DNA oligonucleotides on metal surfaces. The switching behavior is a sensitive indicator for the specific recognition of IgG antibodies, antibody-fragments, and small proteins, which can be detected in quantities of less than 1 amol on the sensor surface.

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