In Search of Concurrence between Biological and Synthetic Polymer Structure and Function

Physical Chemistry Seminar Series

Whether a synthetic material is intended for a medical therapeutic or for charge storage, one of the innate challenges in materials chemistry is the ability to engineer cheap, efficient, robust devices. In contrast, nature manufactures such materials from the cheapest of precursors. As we advance to scientific tools able to observe nature’s molecular level methods, we begin to understand that one reason nature can be so successful is that her strategy differs from ours. Whereas humans usually design materials with a single, well-defined function, nature often acts through redundant or degenerate channels that are singly not as efficient, but collectively, and in the face of damage or wear, outperform their synthetic cousins. 

Our central question is: Can we take cues from the structure-function interplay and use of cooperative pathways in nature’s biomolecular processes to inform design principles for tailored functional materials applications? The pursuit of answers to this question presents challenges for theory, measurement, and data interpretation. The talk will present insights into the overall question, as well as attempts to overcome some of the innate challenges encountered along the way. 

For more information contact Prof. Christine Payne (404-385-3125).