Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 677
Function by Switching
About SFB 677 "Function by Switching"
Contact Information
Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 677 - Function by Switching
Chairman: Prof. Dr. Rainer Herges (Org. Chemistry)
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Dr. Olaf Magnussen (Physics)
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Dr. Richard Berndt (Physics)
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Dr. Felix Tuczek (Inorg. Chemistry)
Secretary: Wiebke Wagner
Otto-Diels-Institut für Organische Chemie
Otto-Hahn-Platz 3
24118 Kiel
phone: +49 (0)431 880-4617
fax: +49 (0)431 880-2646
e-mail: wwagner@oc.uni-kiel.de
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Facts
- number of active projects: 18
- number of principal investigators: 26
- number of scientists: about 100 (students, postdocs, P.I.s)
- 1. funding period: 07/2007 - 06/2011
- 2. funding period: 07/2011 - 06/2015
- budget: 8 mio. EUR (2. funding period)
Research Program
Virtually all technical engineering functions that are realized in our macroscopic world have been implemented on a molecular scale by nature. Molecuar pumps transport substances through cell membranes, motors fueled by ATP drive molecular vehicles along polymer tracks. Repair enzymes constantly control our genetic information, automatically uncovering and mending defects.
A switching process triggered by external signals is the common basis for all aforementioned molecular or macroscopic functions and applications. Switching is not only the basic principle of digital data processing, it also serves as a fundamental step in the operation of motors, actuators, sensors and machinery of any kind.
The Collaborative Research Center (SFB) "Function by Switching" aims at the implementation of essential and elementary functions using artificial (abiotic) systems on a molecular basis. In the same way as in information processing, the inherent miniaturization of technical processes to a molecular scale will result in a considerable increase in efficiency and performance as well as the development of new applications.
To achieve a function by a switching process, molecular switches have to be incorporated in a well-defined environment. The nature of this environment and its interaction with the switch subdivides this project into three project areas.