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At least 253 records · Page 14

Planar 2D wireframe DNA origami

Two-dimensional (2D) DNA origami is widely used for applications ranging from excitonics to single-molecule biophysics. Conventional, single-layer 2D DNA origami exhibits flexibility and curvature in solution; however, that may limit its suitability as a 2D structural template. In contrast, 2D wireframe DNA origami rendered with six-helix bundle edges offers local control over duplex orientations with enhanced in-plane rigidity. Here, we investigate the 3D structure of these assemblies using cryo–electron microscopy (cryo-EM). 3D reconstructions reveal a high degree of planarity and homogeneity in solution for polygonal objects with and without internal mesh, enabling 10-Å resolution for a triangle. Coarse-grained simulations were in agreement with cryo-EM data, offering molecular structural insight into this class of 2D DNA origami. Our results suggest that these assemblies may be valuable for 2D material applications and geometries that require high structural fidelity together with local control over duplex orientations, rather than parallel duplex assembly.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Utilizing Quantum Cascade Lasers for Ultranarrow Velocity Resolution and Quantum-State Selectivity in Molecular Beam Scattering and Spectroscopy

Here, we demonstrate the capability of a narrow linewidth quantum cascade laser (QCL) to selectively excite a very narrow velocity range of nitric oxide (σ ≤ 7(3) m/s) with a pure ro-vibrational quantum state. By implementing a counter-propagating geometry, the molecules are selectively excited according to the Doppler shift of the ro-vibrational transition frequency such that the velocity width associated with the excited molecules depends only on the QCL linewidth. We demonstrate a velocity distribution limited by the effective linewidth of our free-running QCL (Γ = 3.2 MHz). Our development provides a cost-effective, flexible approach to resolve quantum-state selective chemical dynamics with excellent velocity resolution in a wide variety of molecules with infrared-active transitions. This technique has been formulated to provide ultrahigh collisional energy resolution in molecular beams to delineate final quantum-state product pairs in studies of molecular collisions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Superhydrophilicity of $α$-alumina surfaces results from tight binding of interfacial waters to specific aluminols

Understanding the microscopic driving force of water wetting is challenging and important for design of materials. The relations between structure, dynamics and hydrogen bonds of interfacial water can be investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Here, contact angles at the alumina (0001) and ($11\bar{2}0$) surfaces are studied using both classical molecular dynamics simulations and experiments. To test the superhydrophilicity, the free energy cost of removing waters near the interfaces are calculated using the density fluctuations method. The strength of hydrogen bonds is determined by their lifetime and geometry. Both surfaces are superhydrophilic and the (0001) surface is more hydrophilic. Interactions between surfaces and interfacial waters promote a templating effect whereby the latter are aligned in a pattern that follows the underlying lattice of the surfaces. Translational and rotational dynamics of interfacial water molecules are slower than in bulk water. Hydrogen bonds between water and both surfaces are asymmetric, water-to-aluminol ones are stronger than aluminol-to-water ones. Molecular dynamics simulations eliminate the impacts of surface contamination when measuring contact angles and the results reveal the microscopic origin of the macroscopic superhydrophilicity of alumina surfaces: strong water-to-aluminol hydrogen bonds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On the performance of composite schemes in determining equilibrium molecular structures

Determination of equilibrium molecular structures is an essential ingredient in predicting spectroscopic parameters that help in identifying molecular carriers of microwave transitions. Here, in this study, the performance of two different ab initio composite approaches for obtaining equilibrium structures, “energy scheme” and “geometry scheme,” is explored and compared to semi-experimental equilibrium structures. This study is performed for a set of 11 molecules which includes diatomics, linear triatomics, and a few non-linear molecules. The ab initio calculations were performed using three tiers of composite chemical recipes. The current results show that as the overall rigor of calculation is increased, the semi-experimental and the ab initio numbers agree to within 0.0003 Å for all molecules in the test set. The composite approach based on correcting the potential energy surface (energy scheme) and the one based on correcting the geometry directly (geometry scheme) show excellent agreement with each other. This work represents a step toward development of efficient and highly accurate procedures for computing ab initio equilibrium structures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

How Rh surface breaks CO 2 molecules under ambient pressure

Utilization of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) molecules leads to increased interest in the sustainable synthesis of methane (CH 4 ) or methanol (CH 3 OH). The representative reaction intermediate consisting of a carbonyl or formate group determines yields of the fuel source during catalytic reactions. However, their selective initial surface reaction processes have been assumed without a fundamental understanding at the molecular level. Here, we report direct observations of spontaneous CO 2 dissociation over the model rhodium (Rh) catalyst at 0.1 mbar CO 2 . The linear geometry of CO 2 gas molecules turns into a chemically active bent-structure at the interface, which allows non-uniform charge transfers between chemisorbed CO 2 and surface Rh atoms. By combining scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at near-ambient pressure, and computational calculations, we reveal strong evidence for chemical bond cleavage of O-CO* with ordered intermediates structure formation of (2 × 2)-CO on an atomically flat Rh(111) surface at room temperature.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cooperative effect of local active stresses on the macroscopic contractility of elastic fiber networks

The collective action of actively contractile units embedded in elastic biopolymer networks plays a crucial role in regulating the network's macroscopic mechanical response. Here, in this study, we investigate how the macroscopic boundary stress in model elastic fiber networks depends on the number and nature of embedded contractile units, each exerting an isotropic force dipole, as well as on the bending stiffness of fibers. We find that the macroscopic stress increases nonlinearly with the number of dipoles due to mutual stiffening of initially soft, bending-dominated networks. Using effective medium theory, we relate this enhanced contractility to an increase in the effective average network coordination number due to constraints imposed by the force dipoles. By comparing three distinct force dipole models that differ in their local structures, we demonstrate that the specific manner in which an active unit constrains the network strongly influences the onset and nature of the stiffening transition. Our results highlight that not only the quantity but also the local geometry of force-generating units critically determines the macroscopic mechanical behavior. This framework provides a physical basis for understanding how biological systems—such as molecular motors in the cytoskeleton, or adherent cells in the extracellular matrix—can modulate network-scale nonlinear elastic properties through local tuning of active force-generating units.

Biological and medical sciences↗

Polymorphous nature of cubic halide perovskites

Many common crystal structures can be described by a single (or very few) repeated structural motif (“monomorphous structures”) such as octahedron in cubic halide perovskites. Interestingly, recent accumulated evidence suggests that electronic structure calculations based on such macroscopically averaged monomorphous cubic ($\textit{Pm} – 3m$) halide perovskites obtained from x-ray diffraction, show intriguing deviations from experiment. These include systematically too small band gaps, dielectric constants dominated by the electronic, negative mixing enthalpy of alloys, and significant deviations from the measured pair distribution function. We show here that a minimization of the systems $\textit{T}$ = 0 internal energy via density functional theory reveals a distribution of different low-symmetry local motifs, including tilting, rotations, and B-atom displacements (“polymorphous networks”). This is found only if one allows for larger-than-minimal cell size that does not geometrically exclude low symmetry motifs. As the (super) cell size increases, the energy is lowered relative to the monomorphous cell, and stabilizes after ~32 formula units (≥160 atoms) are included. Being a result of nonthermal energy minimization in the internal energy without entropy, this correlated set of displacements must represent the intrinsic geometry preferred by the underlying chemical bonding (lone pair bonding), and as such has a different origin than the normal, dynamic thermal disorder modeled by molecular dynamics. Indeed, the polymorphous network, not the monomorphous ansatz, is the kernel structure from which high temperature thermal agitation develops. The emerging physical picture is that the polymorphous network has an average structure with high symmetry, yet the local structural motifs have low symmetries. In this work we find that, compared with monomorphous counterparts, the polymorphous networks have significantly lower predicted total energies, larger band gaps, and ionic dominated dielectric constants, and agree much more closely with the observed pair distribution functions. An analogous polymorphous situation is found in the paraelectric phase of a few cubic oxide perovskites where local polarization takes the role of local displacements in halide perovskites, and in the paramagnetic phases of a few 3 d oxides where the local spin configuration takes that role.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Materials Data on H9Au(ClO)4 by Materials Project

AuCl4(H2O)2H5O2 crystallizes in the triclinic P1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of one molecular hydrogen;dihydrate molecule, two water molecules, and one AuCl4 cluster. In the AuCl4 cluster, Au3+ is bonded in a rectangular see-saw-like geometry to four Cl1- atoms. There are one shorter (2.31 Å) and three longer (2.32 Å) Au–Cl bond lengths. There are four inequivalent Cl1- sites. In the first Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Au3+ atom. In the second Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Au3+ atom. In the third Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Au3+ atom. In the fourth Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Au3+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on Fe2S3O23 by Materials Project

FeSO7Fe(SO6)2(O2)2 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of four molecular oxygen molecules, two Fe(SO6)2 clusters, and two FeSO7 clusters. In each Fe(SO6)2 cluster, Fe is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to five O atoms. There are a spread of Fe–O bond distances ranging from 1.86–2.41 Å. There are two inequivalent S sites. In the first S site, S is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to four O atoms. There is three shorter (1.47 Å) and one longer (1.54 Å) S–O bond length. In the second S site, S is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to four O atoms. There are a spread of S–O bond distances ranging from 1.46–1.54 Å. There are twelve inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to one Fe and one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.30 Å. In the third O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.24 Å. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the sixth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the seventh O site, O is bonded in a water-like geometry to one Fe and one O atom. In the eighth O site, O is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to one Fe and one O atom. In the ninth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the tenth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the eleventh O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the twelfth O site, O is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In each FeSO7 cluster, Fe is bonded in a see-saw-like geometry to four O atoms. There are a spread of Fe–O bond distances ranging from 1.66–1.84 Å. S is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to four O atoms. There are a spread of S–O bond distances ranging from 1.46–1.56 Å. There are seven inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Fe atom. In the third O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Fe atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Fe atom. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the sixth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the seventh O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on CaB5H4O9 by Materials Project

(CaB5HO9)2(H2)3 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is two-dimensional and consists of four molecular hydrogen molecules and two CaB5HO9 sheets oriented in the (0, 1, 0) direction. In each CaB5HO9 sheet, Ca is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to eight O atoms. There are a spread of Ca–O bond distances ranging from 2.50–2.79 Å. There are five inequivalent B sites. In the first B site, B is bonded to four O atoms to form corner-sharing BO4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of B–O bond distances ranging from 1.44–1.53 Å. In the second B site, B is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to three O atoms. There is one shorter (1.35 Å) and two longer (1.39 Å) B–O bond length. In the third B site, B is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to three O atoms. There is two shorter (1.37 Å) and one longer (1.40 Å) B–O bond length. In the fourth B site, B is bonded to four O atoms to form corner-sharing BO4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of B–O bond distances ranging from 1.44–1.51 Å. In the fifth B site, B is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to three O atoms. There are a spread of B–O bond distances ranging from 1.35–1.42 Å. H is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one O atom. The H–O bond length is 0.98 Å. There are nine inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one B and one H atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ca and two B atoms. In the third O site, O is bonded in a distorted water-like geometry to two equivalent Ca and two B atoms. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ca and two B atoms. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two B atoms. In the sixth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ca and two B atoms. In the seventh O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to two equivalent Ca and two B atoms. In the eighth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two B atoms. In the ninth O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ca and two B atoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An Accurate, Affordable Density Functional Tight-Binding Model for Excited State Hydrocarbon Polymer Molecular Dynamics

We have developed a density functional tight-binding model for hydrocarbon excited state dynamics by referencing to high-level electronic structure theory and incorporating a many-body repulsive energy. We then validate our model against n-octane geometry optimizations, bond dissociation scans, and vibrational frequencies. Our model is approximately 10 3 times more efficient than hybrid time-dependent density functional theory calculations with comparable accuracy. In conclusion, our efforts enable longer timescale excited state simulations of photochemistry and scattering of incident radiation.

Chemical calculations↗

Substituent Effects on Transient, Carbodiimide-Induced Geometry Changes in Diphenic Acids

Nucleotide-induced conformational changes in motor proteins are key to many important cell functions. Inspired by this biological behavior, we report a simple chemically fueled system that exhibits carbodiimide-induced geometry changes. Bridging via transient anhydride formation leads to a significant reduction of the twist about the biaryl bond of substituted diphenic acids, giving a simple molecular clamp. The kinetics are well-described by a simple mechanism, allowing structure–property effects to be determined. The kinetic parameters can be used to derive important characteristics of the system such as the efficiencies (anhydride yields), maximum anhydride concentrations, and overall lifetimes. Transient diphenic anhydrides tolerate steric hindrance ortho to the biaryl bond but are significantly affected by electronic effects, with electron-deficient substituents giving lower yields, peak conversions, and lifetimes. Furthermore, the results provide useful guidelines for the design of functional systems incorporating diphenic acid units.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Vascular K ATP channel structural dynamics reveal regulatory mechanism by Mg-nucleotides

Vascular tone is dependent on smooth muscle K ATP channels comprising pore-forming Kir6.1 and regulatory SUR2B subunits, in which mutations cause Cantú syndrome. Unique among K ATP isoforms, they lack spontaneous activity and require Mg-nucleotides for activation. Structural mechanisms underlying these properties are unknown. Here, we determined cryogenic electron microscopy structures of vascular K ATP channels bound to inhibitory ATP and glibenclamide, which differ informatively from similarly determined pancreatic K ATP channel isoform (Kir6.2/SUR1). Unlike SUR1, SUR2B subunits adopt distinct rotational “propeller” and “quatrefoil” geometries surrounding their Kir6.1 core. The glutamate/aspartate-rich linker connecting the two halves of the SUR-ABC core is observed in a quatrefoil-like conformation. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal MgADP-dependent dynamic tripartite interactions between this linker, SUR2B, and Kir6.1. The structures captured implicate a progression of intermediate states between MgADP-free inactivated, and MgADP-bound activated conformations wherein the glutamate/aspartate-rich linker participates as mobile autoinhibitory domain, suggesting a conformational pathway toward K ATP channel activation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Two polymorphs of [Rh(μ-I)(COD)] 2

The solid-state structure of di-μ-iodido-bis{[(1,2,5,6-η)-cycloocta-1,4-diene]rhodium(I)}, [Rh 2 I 2 (C 8 H 12 ) 2 ] or [Rh(μ-I)(COD)] 2 , was determined from two crystals with different morphologies, which were found to correspond to two polymorphs containing Rh dimers with significantly different molecular structures. Both polymorphs are monoclinic and the [Rh(μ-I)(COD)] 2 molecules in each case possess C 2 v symmetry. However, the core geometry of the butterfly-shaped Rh 2 I 2 core differs substantially. In the C 2/ c polymorph, the core geometry of [Rh(μ-I)(COD)] 2 B is bent, with a hinge angle of 96.13 (8)° and a Rh...Rh distance of 2.9612 (11) Å. The P 2 1 / c polymorph features a more planar [Rh(μ-I)(COD)] 2 P core geometry, with a hinge angle of 145.69 (9)° and a Rh...Rh distance of 3.7646 (5) Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on U(NO7)2 by Materials Project

UNO7NO3(O2)2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmc2_1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of eight molecular oxygen molecules, four nitric acid molecules, and four UNO7 clusters. In each UNO7 cluster, U is bonded in a distorted rectangular see-saw-like geometry to six O atoms. There are a spread of U–O bond distances ranging from 1.83–2.45 Å. N is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to three O atoms. There is one shorter (1.22 Å) and two longer (1.29 Å) N–O bond length. There are five inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one U atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one U atom. In the third O site, O is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to one U and one N atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N atom. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one U atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on MgFe4(S3O23)2 by Materials Project

MgO10(Fe2S3O16)2(O2)2 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group. The structure is one-dimensional and consists of two molecular oxygen molecules; one MgO10 cluster; and two Fe2S3O16 ribbons oriented in the (-1, 1, 0) direction. In the MgO10 cluster, Mg is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six O atoms. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 1.97–2.48 Å. There are five inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Mg and one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.23 Å. In the second O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Mg and one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.23 Å. In the third O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Mg atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one O atom. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one O atom. In each Fe2S3O16 ribbon, there are two inequivalent Fe sites. In the first Fe site, Fe is bonded to five O atoms to form FeO5 trigonal bipyramids that share corners with three SO4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Fe–O bond distances ranging from 1.76–2.01 Å. In the second Fe site, Fe is bonded in a 6-coordinate geometry to six O atoms. There are a spread of Fe–O bond distances ranging from 1.93–2.24 Å. There are three inequivalent S sites. In the first S site, S is bonded to four O atoms to form SO4 tetrahedra that share a cornercorner with one FeO5 trigonal bipyramid. There are a spread of S–O bond distances ranging from 1.46–1.53 Å. In the second S site, S is bonded to four O atoms to form SO4 tetrahedra that share a cornercorner with one FeO5 trigonal bipyramid. There are a spread of S–O bond distances ranging from 1.45–1.53 Å. In the third S site, S is bonded to four O atoms to form SO4 tetrahedra that share a cornercorner with one FeO5 trigonal bipyramid. There are a spread of S–O bond distances ranging from 1.46–1.54 Å. There are sixteen inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the third O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the sixth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the seventh O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the eighth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the ninth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the tenth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the eleventh O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S atom. In the twelfth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one Fe and one S atom. In the thirteenth O site, O is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two Fe atoms. In the fourteenth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Fe atom. In the fifteenth O site, O is bonded in a distorted L-shaped geometry to one Fe and one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.26 Å. In the sixteenth O site, O is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to one Fe and one O atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on CaO10 by Materials Project

CaO10 crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/mcc space group. The structure is two-dimensional and consists of two molecular oxygen molecules and two CaO8 sheets oriented in the (0, 0, 1) direction. In each CaO8 sheet, Ca is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to eight equivalent O atoms. All Ca–O bond lengths are 2.47 Å. O is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ca and one O atom. The O–O bond length is 1.28 Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Singlet Fission

This report summarizes key findings from DOE Award DE‑SC0007004 – Singlet Fission, documenting more than a decade of research led by Professor Josef Michl. The project advanced foundational understanding of singlet fission (SF) through integrated synthetic, spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational studies. Across a diverse set of chromophores—including tetracenes, cibalackrot derivatives, BODIPY dimers, TDPPs, and fluorinated isobenzofurans—the team identified structural and packing features that enable or inhibit SF, clarified the roles of charge‑transfer intermediates and excimer formation, and developed simplified theoretical models and computational screening tools for predicting optimal geometries and excited‑state-energetics. The work significantly broadened design principles for SF‑active materials and provided insights relevant to next‑generation solar energy conversion and molecular photophysics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗