NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks

The NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET) is creating the fundamental knowledge and methods to enable molecular-level chemical control of polymer network properties. Examples of network materials include automobile tires, biomedical implants and structural materials. The long-term innovation potential of this fundamental research includes cost- and time-efficient rational chemical design approaches for advanced materials and competitive manufacturing. MONET’s collaborative approach combines polymer synthesis, single-molecule and network characterization tools, and artificial intelligence-enabled discovery and understanding. MONET promotes innovation by developing open-source tools for polymer chemistry data sharing in addition to pursuing technology transfer and intellectual property. MONET-supported graduate students and postdoctoral researchers access student-centered mentoring and development opportunities in scientific leadership, informal science communication, innovation, and collaborative interdisciplinary project management. The NSF Center for the Chemistry of Molecularly Optimized Networks (MONET) treats polymer networks as complex chemical systems and develops the chemical tools and theories that allow the impact of specific molecular behaviors on material properties and functions to be understood and exploited. MONET's research efforts are organized into three intertwined research thrusts: Thrust 1 focuses on applying theory and artificial intelligence tools that accelerate molecular design and discovery and generate quantitative, predictive connections between single molecule and network properties; Thrust 2 designs new molecular features that impact network performance and generate new chemical responses; and Thrust 3 seeks to understand how the molecular details of network topology influence the impact of molecular strand and junction composition on properties, including the effect of polymer network “remodeling” at the molecular level. Center members emphasize research translation through a combination of open-source tool development, partnerships, and the protection of intellectual property in their innovation efforts. MONET’s professional development program develops a cohort of early-career scientists that effectively collaborates on challenging chemistry questions. MONET has a variety of informal science communication efforts to youth audiences via outreach kits and to adults through science-art partnerships. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.