A Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry Symposium to be held at the Spring 2025 ACS National Meeting

Symposium organisers: Graham Leggett, University of Sheffield and Stefan Zauscher, Duke University

Abstract deadline September 30th 2024

Nature offers a rich source of inspiration for the design and assembly of nanostructures, materials, and devices, where interfaces play a central role in their function. In biology, cellular membranes are equipped with pumps, gates, motors, and other functional elements. Compartmentalized systems, such as mitochondria and the chromatophore vesicles of photosynthetic bacteria, are crucial in regulating energy flow. While evolution provides abundant inspiration for material and device design, natural systems aim to grow and replicate, whereas engineered materials and devices are designed to meet human needs. The fundamental challenge lies in drawing inspiration from natural systems and adapting it for anthropomorphic purposes. Simply copying biological systems will only replicate biology, but successfully integrating abiotic materials, and mechanisms with biologically inspired design concepts offers the potential to transform the engineering of materials and devices.

Confirmed invited speakers to date

Jasna Brujic, New York University, USA

Aránzazu del Campo, INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Germany

Ashutosh Chilkoti, Duke University, USA

Seth Fraden, Brandeis University, USA

Ramin Golestanian, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany

C. Neil Hunter, University of Sheffield, UK

Hortense Le Ferrand, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Phillip Messersmith, University of California Berkeley, USA

Daniel G. Nocera, Harvard University, USA

Jon Pokorski, University of California San Diego, USA

Rae Robertson-Anderson, University of San Diego, USA

Rebecca Schulman, Johns-Hopkins University

Hao Yan, Arizona State University, USA

Lingchong You, Duke University, USA

Further details of topics to be covered are given below.

To submit an abstract please visit the ACS Meetings web site at https://callforabstracts.acs.org/acsspring2025/COLL

Abstract deadline September 30th 2024

Questions may be directed to the syposium organisers:

Graham Leggett, University of Sheffield, UK

Stefan Zauscher, Duke University USA

We welcome abstracts covering the following topics

Biological Molecules in Engineered Systems

• DNA Nanotechnology: Utilizing DNA for the construction of nanostructures.

• Active Control of Matter: Employing biological and biomimetic molecules to manipulate matter.

• Molecular Machines and Motors: Creating machines and motors on a molecular scale.

• Swimmers and Nanorobotics: Developing nanoscale robotic devices capable of movement.

• 3D Design and Control: Crafting and managing biomimetic materials in three dimensions.

• Sensors and Diagnostics: Designing sensors for detecting various biological and chemical signals.

• Biolubrication and Bioadhesion: Innovating lubrication and adhesion methods inspired by biology.

Engineered Living Materials

• Living Cells in Polymeric Scaffolds: Integrating living cells within polymer frameworks.

• Techniques: Printing, spinning, and microencapsulation.

• Stimulus-Responsiveness: Materials that respond to environmental stimuli.

• Biomedical Applications: Sensing, wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery.

• Green Energy and Bioremediation: Sustainable energy solutions and environmental cleanup.

Synthetic Biology

• De Novo Biomolecular Design: Creating new biomolecules for engineering purposes.

• Biological Membranes: Exploring and designing membrane processes for catalysis, recognition, and mechanical actuation.

• Membrane Processes: Investigating motors, charge and energy transfer within membranes.

Bioinspired Energy Harvesting

• Photosynthesis and Artificial Photosynthesis: Harnessing natural and synthetic processes for energy production.

• Photocatalysis: Using light to accelerate chemical reactions.

• Synthetic Light-Harvesting Complexes: Designing structures to capture light efficiently.

• Energy Transport Mechanisms: Studying how energy moves in biologically inspired and synthetic molecules.

• Devices and Materials: Creating biophotonic devices and exploring quantum phenomena in biology.