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SFB 677:  Function by Switching

Subject Area Chemistry
Biology
Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Medicine
Physics
Term from 2007 to 2019
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 13266514
 
Switching is an elementary step in information technology, most engineering functions, and machines. Top-down miniaturization of the switching units in electronic circuits triggered an unprecedented technological development that changed our life in many aspects. Beyond increasing the power of computers, miniaturization of other technological functions will lead to higher efficiencies as well, and moreover, it will open novel applications in medicine, energy, environment, and materials science. Molecular switches are at the focus of research in our collaborative research centre. They offer the prospect of realising the ultimate limit of miniaturisation for the fabrication of functional molecular devices. Similar to its macroscopic analogue, a molecular switch is a molecule that can be reversibly shifted between two or more metastable states. Our molecular switches are controlled by non-invasive external stimuli (light, heat, electric fields, or electrons). In response to switching, the properties (optical, magnetic, electronic etc.) of the system change. Light is a particularly expedient trigger. It can be applied in different energies (wavelengths) and polarisations, with spatial and temporal control, and it leaves no trace if it is switched off. Molecular switching with light (photochromism) has already provided the basis to spectacular applications such as stimulated emission depletion (STED, RESOLFT) microscopy which allows super resolution imaging, or the construction of light switchable channel proteins for the non-invasive addressing of single brain neurons in optogenetics. The tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) is an extremely localised excitation source that enables detailed studies of single-molecules and their environment. Consequently, most of our molecular switches are triggered with light or the electric current of a STM tip. During the first and second funding periods a number of photochromic switches have been investigated, and new compounds have been synthesized. Improved azobenzene-type structures still proved to be most reliable. The chemistry of novel and modified switches has been developed and they are now used in several projects.A simple switch is not a machine, and switching alone is not sufficient to achieve a particular function. Therefore, switches have to be implemented in suitable environments that provide controlled interactions with the surrounding. Different environments require different scientific approaches and thus are a natural basis for the organisation of our collaborative research centre in three different fields of research projects: A. Solutions, B. Surfaces, C. Complex environments (including materials and biological systems).
DFG Programme Collaborative Research Centres

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