Podcasts
November 2016
Two new SFB677 video podcasts online
This video deals with the synthesis of functional or “smart”polymers at the WG Staubitz. These interesting polymers respond to an external stimulus by changing their properties reversibly. Stimuli can be for example light or mechanical force. Such polymers can be used for interesting applications, which are investigated within the Collaborative Research Center 677, which is called “Function by switching”, at Kiel University.
This applied research is part of the second movie "Nanoscale switches for memorizing polymers" of the WG Adelung. The obtained "smart" polymers are used to indicate mechanical stress. In this way the failure of composite materials can be predicted.
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December 2015
New SFB677 video podcast online: "Ultrafast Molecular Switches Caught in the Act"
Photochemically driven molecular switches are extremely fast: Typically, the switching movement is finished in just 1 picosecond (10‑12 s). To understand molecular switching mechanisms, it is therefore necessary to observe them on a time scale of femtoseconds (10‑15 s). Experimentally, this can be done with modern methods of ultrafast spectroscopy, as applied in the working group of Professor Friedrich Temps. In a complementary approach, the molecular switching dynamics is simulated theoretically in the working group of Professor Bernd Hartke.
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In several combined studies of this kind within CRC 677, the photochemical mechanisms of basic switching molecules like azobenzenes and furylfulgides could be analyzed and understood in all details. This, in turn, allows to systematically improve these molecules, i.e., to develop molecular switches that can be switched from one state to the other more selectively, more efficiently and more robustly. This directly translates in improved applications of these molecular switches, for example in functional materials or as motor units in molecular machines. This podcast illustrates one of these improvement steps: An additional bridge between the two phenyl rings of azobenzene improves its switching properties, by separating the excitation wavelengths for the two switching directions. Additionally, this bridge shortens the molecular movement paths from one state to the other, and it eliminates other molecular movements that would reduce switching efficiency.
February 2014
Third Podcast online: "Molecules as Nanomachines"
In Prof. Berndt's workgroup in SFB 677 at the CAU Kiel, scientists are interested in the physical properties of single switchable molecules on surfaces.
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Without taking notice, we use various nanometer-sized structures in everyday life. For example, the smallest circuit paths in computer chips will soon reach a width of 14 nm, which means only 60 atoms. The size of these structures are approaching a limit where the laws of physics change fundamentally.
For example, we know from experience that copper wires are better conductors than wires made of lead. The exact opposite is true for wires which are only one atom wide. Our research aims at a better understanding of the behavior of single molecular switches on surfaces. This knowledge is crucial for the application of molecules as nanomachines.
October 2013
Beilstein-TV Reports on "Record Player Molecules"
A new episode from Beilstein TV reports on the development of switchable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the workgroup of Prof. R. Herges.
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The movie shows the collaboration between organic chemistry and neuroradiology at the university medical center Schleswig-Holstein to foster the development of switchable MRI contrast agents. The synthesis of the so-called "record player molecules" in the laboratory as well as the envisioned clinical application are demonstrated.
February 2013
Second podcast online: "Joining the unjoinable"
In the SFB's second research podcast, scientists from the workgroups of Prof. Adelung and Prof. Staubitz present their collaborative project "joining the unjoinable".
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Various natural plants contain surfaces which do not stick to anything, e.g. nasturtium. Water just rolls off, removing dirt particles in the process. This phenomenon is widely known as the lotus effect. Some artificial materials such as teflon behave similarly. They ensure that nothing sticks to your frying pan. Scientists in SFB 677 tried to join two such materials (teflon and silicone), which normally resist sticking together. The scientists developed a kind of paper clip, so-called tetrapodes. Due to their unique shape, these zinc tetrapodes can penetrate both materials, making them stick together without glue. This new discovery could be applied in the future to make paint stick to silicone joints or to develop improved medical devices.
September 2012
Beilstein-TV Reports on "Sweet Switches"
A new podcast from Beilstein TV reports on the research on cell adhesion from the workgroup of Prof. Dr. R. Lindhorst.
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This video provides an overview of our work on the investigation of carbohydrate-specific bacterial adhesion. We utilize functional glycomimetics and specific glycoarrays that may be fabricated from photoswitchable glycosides.
August 2012
Beilstein-TV Reports on Molecular Switches from SFB 677
A new podcast from Beilstein TV reports on the design, synthesis and characterization of new molecular switches from the workgroup of Prof. Dr. R. Herges.
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The new switches are based on the diazocine switching unit, which itself is an improved azobenzene. Upon irradiation, the substances not only undergo a color change, but the less flexible molecular structure enables their application as a molecular synthetic machine.
The Beilstein TV movie gives an insight into the process leading from an idea and computer-based development to an optimized synthesis yielding new molecular switches.
July 2012
Video Clip Receives Award at Nanospots Film Festival
According to the jury, this film is “catchy with respect to both humour and didactics”. The video clip “Vijay and the switches” was awarded the third prize in the first nanospots film festival in Halle, Germany.
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Experts from nano science, politics, economy, media and society selected the movie for presentation in the Central German Multimedia Center in Halle as part of the "Long night of science". The audience judged all ten movies presented. The video clip was prepared jointly by a team of scientists led by S. Schwarzer (IPN) for the didactic part and T. K. Lindhorst (Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry), for the scientific content together with the Kiel based film production Weitwinkelproduktion. The clip picks up the CRC 677 research topic of project B11 "Switchable cell adhesion".
July 2012
First Podcast online: “Glycocalyx – an undiscovered organelle”
Switchable cell adhesion is one of the research topics of the research group of Thisbe Lindhorst. The group presents their work in the first CRC 677 science podcast.
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The research deals with molecular switches that can prevent bacteria from docking on to other cells. "Such nano-switches can be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of bacteria such as EHEC", says T. K. Lindhorst. Podcasts are supposed to help promote the discussion between science and society about the topic of nano technology within CRC 677. The podcast is the extended, scientifically more detailed version of video clip "Vijay and the switches" which recently received an award at the first nanospots film festival.
