Special Issue "Molecular Biomimetics and Materials Design"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Lyle Isaacs
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Website: http://www.chem.umd.edu/directory/facultydirectory/lyleisaacs
E-Mail:
Phone: +1 301 405 1884
Fax: +1 301 314 9121
Interests: supramolecular chemistry; molecular recognition; molecular containers; molecular clips; glycoluril; cucurbit[n]urils; self-sorting; complex systems; supramolecular catalysis

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Kwang J. Kim
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Website: http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/kwangkim/
E-Mail:
Interests: electroactive polymer; ionic polymer-metal composite; metal hydride actuator

Dear Colleagues,

Nature is unquestionably the pre-eminent chemist. One must only consider the myriad chemical reactions and non-covalent interactions that are ongoing simultaneous with exquisite control in both space and time to be awe inspired. A large number of chemists and biochemists are involved in the dissection of these complex biological systems by understanding the precise chemical behavior of each Natural component. Another segment of the chemical and biochemical community aims to apply the understanding of natural systems to create man-made molecules, materials, machines, and systems with complex structure and function. This special issue is dedicated to the chemistry of such biomimetic systems at the molecular, macromolecular, and materials levels. As such this special issue encompasses a broad range of topics of contemporary interest in chemistry.

Lyle Isaacs, Ph.D.
Kwang J. Kim, Ph.D.
Guest Editors

Related Special Issues in other Journals

Molecular Biomimetics and Materials Design in IJMS

Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 800 CHF (Swiss Francs).

• biomimetic systems
• stimuli responsive materials
• polymers
• molecular machines
• self-assembly
• supramolecular
• systems
• sensing systems
• surface chemistry
• systems chemistry
• complexity

Feature Papers

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Effective Dielectric Response of Polymer Nanocomposites: A Review On Dispersion Challenges and Multifunctional Properties
Authors: Zoubeida Ounaies * and Payam Khodaparast
Affiliations: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA; E-Mails: zounaies@tamu.edu; pkhodaparast@tamu.edu
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Tel. +1-979-458-1330; Fax: +1-979-845-6051
Abstract: We propose to present a comprehensive review on nanoparticle-reinforced polymer composites processed explicitly with the goal of enhancing their effective dielectric and/or electromechanical response. The broad goal of the review paper is to focus on the mechanism(s) that may lead to dielectric gains in nanocomposites and to contrast that to the case of microcomposites. Toward that end, we will focus on the following issues: 1. Particle size effect on dispersion and multifunctional properties of resulting polymer-based composites; 2. Interphase role and effective properties; and 3. Processing methodology and impact on particle network and polymer morphology.
Keywords: polymer nanocomposites, interphase, dielectric response, electromechanical coupling

Regular Papers

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Novel Nanostructured Photocatalysts and Their Applications in the Production of High Value-Added Chemicals from Lignocellulosic Biomass: An Overview
Authors: Juan Carlos Colmenares ^1,*, Rafael Luque ^2,*, Juan Manuel Campelo ², Fermando Colmenares ³, Zbigniew Karpinski ¹, Jose Maria Marinas ² and Antonio Angel Romero ²
Affiliations: ¹Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa, Poland; Tel. +48 223433215
² Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Córdoba, Edificio Marie Curie, Ctra Nnal IV, Km 396, E-14014, Córdoba, Spain; Tel. +34 957212065; Fax: +34957212066
³ School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mails: q62alsor@uco.es; jcarlos@wp.pl
Abstract: Heterogeneous photocatalysis offer many possibilities to find the appropiate environmentally friendly solutions for the problems affecting our society (i.e. energy issues). Researchers are still looking for novel routes to prepare solid photocatalysts able to transform more efficiently solar into chemical energy. In many developing countries, biomass is a major energy source but currently such countries lack of the technology to sustainably obtain chemicals and/or fuels from it. The Roadmap for Biomass Technologies, authored by 26 leading experts from academia, industry, and government agencies, has predicted a gradual shift back to a carbohydrate-based economy. Biomass and biofuels appear to hold the key to satisfy the basic needs of our societies for the sustainable production of liquid fuels and high value-added chemicals without compromising the scenario of future generations. In this review, we aim to discuss various routes to design nanostructured photocatalytic solid materials in view of their applications in the selective transformation of lignocellulosic biomass to high value-added chemicals.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Underlying Principles of Nanostructured Silica Formation in Diatoms
Authors: Benoit Tesson and Mark Hildebrand
Affiliations: Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, USA
Abstract: The unicellular microalgae known as diatoms make cell walls out of silica that have diverse structural features on the nano- to micro-scale exceeding current man-made materials synthesis approaches. Understanding the underlying principles involved in diatom silicification could benefit biomimetic approaches or facilitate the direct use of diatom-derived material for applications. Based on established and ongoing studies, diatom silicification incorporates the features of compartmentalization, non-equilibrium kinetics, and integrated bottom up and top down approaches to control structure formation, with spatial and temporal integration at, and between, all scales. This level of control and integration is likely how diatoms produce such a diversity of structures.