# DMREF: Autonomous Closed-Loop Discovery of Molecular Design Rules for Chiral Electronics

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL) · $2,000,000

## Abstract

With the support of the Division of Chemistry, the Office of Strategic Initiatives, and the Division of Materials Research, Prof. Ying Diao and collaborators at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Washington will develop novel approaches to imparting materials with the ability to control the electron spin. This project will focus on unveiling fundamental design rules for chiral emergence from achiral semiconducting polymers. By leveraging the ability of chiral structures to control the electronic spin, the research team aims to modulate chemical reaction pathways to increase the efficiency of electron transfer and energy transduction. The fundamental knowledge to be gained from this research will inform future design of electronics and redox active materials critical for advancing semiconductor technologies. The multidisciplinary research training of students and the educational activities aim to increase the STEM workforce. The educational activities through the high school summer camp and the Electrochemical Bootcamp will be on the topics of chirality, self-driven labs, directed assembly, polymer sciences and electronics, which are aligned with the research program. 

This research project seeks to revolutionize electronic and energy materials by introducing supramolecular chirality and thus imparting materials with the ability to control the electronic spin. This will be achieved through merging distinct areas of research: semiconducting 

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2522792
- **Awardee organization:** University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Y8CWNJRCNN91
- **PI:** Ying Diao
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microelectronics and Semiconductors, DMREF
- **Estimated total:** $2,000,000
- **Funds obligated:** $2,000,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2029

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2522792

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2522792, DMREF: Autonomous Closed-Loop Discovery of Molecular Design Rules for Chiral Electronics. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2522792. Licensed CC0.

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