Ben Feringa - ERC Advanced Grant 2016
Molecular Motors, powering dynamic functional molecular systems
Professor Ben Feringa is awarded the second ERC advanced grant. Ben received his first ERC Advanced Grant (Molecular Motors) in 2008 and is now awarded a second one for 2,5 million euros.
In this second program the unique properties of unidirectional light driven molecular rotary motors will be built upon to achieve dynamic control of function and develop responsive systems with a particular focus on systems in water. Light-driven molecular rotary motors are distinct from the majority of molecular switches, as they allow sequential access to multiple functional states in a responsive system through non-invasive stimulation. Importantly, continuous irradiation induces continuous rotary motion which provides a unique opportunity to design dynamic systems and responsive materials that can be driven out-of-equilibrium.
The proposed research program is highly challenging but provides the comprehensive effort required to achieve control of complex nanomechanical systems and will opening a bright future for applications ranging from stimuli responsive materials to spatio-temporal control of biomolecular systems.
| Last modified: | 24 March 2016 12.28 p.m. |
More news
-
11 September 2018
From Klokhuis question of the week to a Veni grant
Jorrig Vogels has always been fascinated by language. As a child, he even compared the different words for ingredients on any packaging he came across. Last summer, the language researcher managed to secure a much-coveted Veni grant. ‘There’s something...
-
07 September 2018
Constructive discussions and a joint solution
On Thursday evening, after intensive and constructive discussions with the protesting students from student parties DAG and ROOD (youth organization of the Dutch Socialist Party), consensus was reached on four points, which focus specifically on the...
-
04 September 2018
Down with those dropped ceilings!
As a boy from the province he would occasionally visit the city of Groningen and didn’t care much for all those old buildings. His interest in historical buildings did not emerge until much later, during his Architecture studies. Today, architect René...