Condensed Matter Seminar Series

Control of Electron Transfer Pathways in Biomolecules and Small Molecular Systems

Spiros Skourtis

University of Cyprus and Duke

Thursday September 30,  11:00 am,  Room 298,  Physics Building

Abstract:  Electron transfer reactions are ubiquitous in biology. Biological electron transfer mechanisms range from tunnelling to thermally activated hopping. Due to the floppiness of biomolecules, molecular motion is an important determinant of the electron transfer rate. I give a brief introduction to the theory and simulation of biological electron transfer rates and discuss similarities between biological electron transfer and small molecule /molecular wire electron transport mechanisms. In the final part of the talk I discuss recent work about the control of electron transport in biological and small molecule devices.