Federal Project Grant Summary

Award Overview: The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry awarded $570,000 to Trustees of Boston University under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) for a three-year project beginning August 1, 2026 and concluding July 31, 2029. The award funds development of an optical tweezer darkfield plasmon ruler microscope—an all-optical technique for single-molecule manipulation and conductance measurements in solution.

Deliverables and Scientific Output: The project will produce a novel measurement platform enabling researchers to manipulate individual molecules using optical tweezers (microscopic tweezers made of light) while simultaneously probing electron transport and charge distribution across single molecular bridges. The technique suspends target molecules between two gold nanoparticles in solution, allowing optical inference of charge flow without exerting destructive forces that damage weak molecular bonds. This capability addresses a critical gap in molecular electronics research by enabling non-destructive characterization of charge transport in biological molecules such as nucleic acids and protein nanowires—essential for advancing biomolecule-based miniaturization of electronic devices. The project will also generate interdisciplinary training outputs through engagement of graduate and undergraduate students in chemistry, physics, and materials science, contributing to STEM workforce development.