高等研究院Institute for Advanced Study

高等研究院2015-2016学年名师讲堂（第九期）

Precisely Functionalized Molecular Nanoparticles Are Unique Elements for Macromolecular Science: From “Nanoatoms” to Giant Molecules

Prof. Dr. Stephen Z. D. Cheng

Department of Polymer Science, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron

Talk Introduction

In this talk, we present a unique approach to the design and synthesis of “giant molecules” based on “nano-atoms” for engineering structures across different length scales and controlling their macroscopic properties. Herein, “nano-atoms” refer to shape-persistent molecular nanoparticles (MNPs) with precisely-defined chemical structures and surface functionalities that can serve as elemental building blocks for the precision synthesis of “giant molecules” by methods such as a sequential click approach. Typical “nano-atoms” include those based on fullerenes, polyhedral oligomericsilsesquioxanes, polyoxometalates, and folded globular proteins. The resulting “giant molecules” are precisely-defined macromolecules. They include, but are not limited to, giant surfactants, giant shape amphiphiles, and giant polyhedra. Unconventional nanostructures can be obtained in confined environments or through directed self-assembly. All the results demonstrate that MNPs are unique elements for macromolecular science, providing a versatile platform for engineering nanostructures that are not only scientifically intriguing, but also technologically relevant.

About the Speaker

Stephen Z. D. Cheng was born in Shanghai, China. He came to the US and became a graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1981, and led to the awarding of his Ph.D degree in May 1985. 

In October 1987, Stephen Cheng joined The University of Akron as an assistant professor of polymer science. In 1998, He was promoted to be the Trustees Professor, Between 2007 and 2014, he served as the Dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He has been appointed as a Cheung-Kong Scholar of Polymer Science and Engineering at Peking University since 2000. He has also been more than twenty honorary, advisory, adjunct, guest and visiting professor titles in China, Japan, and France.

In 2008, Cheng was elected Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering and 2011 he was elected Member of the National Academy of Inventors. In 2013, he has been awarded with Polymer Physics Prize by the American Physical Society.

时间: 2015年10月12日下午3：30-4：30

地点: 图书馆南馆报告厅

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