Electrically Fueled Supramolecular Assembly With Spatiotemporal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synthetic dissipative supramolecular materials primarily rely on chemical or light fuels, which face challenges in waste generation and spatiotemporal control, while electrical energy as a fuel source has been underexplored for creating active supramolecular materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of an electrochemical redox reaction network with redox-sensitive cysteine derivatives and dual electrocatalysts to create transient supramolecular assemblies through electrical potential, enabling spatiotemporal control and waste-free assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical or light fuels are used to create dissipative supramolecular assemblies, then the assemblies can be formed with dynamic properties, but waste products are generated and spatiotemporal control is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic properties of supramolecular assembliesVSAvoidwaste products

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts electrical energy, which can be considered a 'clean' fuel without harmful waste products, into a driving force for dissipative supramolecular assembly. By using electrochemical redox reactions fueled by electrical potential, the system achieves dynamic assembly behavior without generating chemical waste, thus transforming a potentially harmful approach (chemical fuels) into a beneficial one (electrical fuel).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in electrical potential (parameter) to control the redox state of cysteine derivatives, which in turn controls the assembly and disassembly of supramolecular structures. By modulating the electrical potential parameter, the system achieves precise spatiotemporal control over assembly dynamics without the need for chemical fuels, resolving the contradiction between dynamic properties and waste generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chemical or light fuels are used to create dissipative supramolecular assemblies, then the assemblies can be formed with dynamic properties, but spatiotemporal control is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic properties of supramolecular assembliesVSAvoidspatiotemporal control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electrical potential as a dynamic control parameter that can be modulated in real-time to control assembly processes. The electrical potential can be applied, removed, or varied at any time, providing flexible spatiotemporal control over the formation and dissolution of supramolecular assemblies, thus overcoming the limitations of chemical or light fuels in terms of control precision and timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochemical system allows for feedback control where the electrical potential can be adjusted based on real-time monitoring of assembly states. This enables precise control over when and where assemblies form and dissolve, achieving superior spatiotemporal control compared to conventional fuel-driven approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If electrical energy is used to fuel dissipative assembly, then rapid and repetitive assembly is achieved with spatiotemporal control, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of assemblyVSAvoidelectrochemical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-assembly mechanisms where the electrical potential directly drives the redox reactions of cysteine derivatives to form supramolecular assemblies without requiring external catalysts or complex machinery. The system uses the inherent electrochemical properties of the materials to achieve rapid assembly, minimizing the need for additional components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Rapid and repetitive formation of active supramolecular materials with directional and precise spatiotemporal control, suitable for integration into electronic devices and applications like bioelectronics.

Implementation Method 1

applying an electric potential using a plurality of electrodes to an electrochemical redox reaction network to make a transient and active supramolecular assembly, wherein the electrochemical redox reaction network comprises monomers having redox sensitive motifs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

the electrochemical redox reaction network comprises a first electrocatalyst, and a second electrocatalyst, and wherein when the electric potential is applied to the electrochemical redox reaction network, the first electrocatalyst is oxidized, the second electrocatalyst is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS12516425B2Electrically fueled active supramolecular materials, and applications thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

The disclosure provides for methods and systems to create active supramolecular materials by using electrically fueled dissipative assembly, and applications thereof, including in electronic devices.