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Science of ChemistryChemistry
is the physical science that investigates the composition, structure, properties,
and transformations of substances and elementary forms of matter, primarily at
the molecular level. CHE supports research on the synthesis of new organic and
inorganic molecules; the structure and reactivity of molecules in solids, liquids,
and gases, and on surfaces; preparation and characterization of supra-molecular
nano-structures; new measurement concepts and instruments for molecular characterization;
and theoretical and experimental understanding of chemical structure and reactivity
at the quantum level. Chemistry can now achieve molecular-level understanding
of complex systems, such as those presented by natural and manufacturing environments
and use this understanding to, for example, design new more effective drugs. It
can define environmentally benign synthetic processes and contribute to the development
of new energy sources and efficient uses of old ones. Chemistry relies increasingly
on mathematics, informatics, and instrumentation for development of computational
methods, real-time control of experiments, and display and analysis of complex
data. Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students, together with essential
instrumentation, are supported to pursue this research through awards to individual
investigators, groups of investigators, and centers. The Division of Chemistry
supports research and the development of research infrastructure in the principal
subdisciplines of chemistry. The field of chemistry is very diverse, and NSF support
for chemistry research goes beyond the Division of Chemistry. Other NSF divisions
supporting chemistry research include Astronomical Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences,
Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Chemical and Transport Systems, Earth Sciences,
Advanced Computational Research, Physics, and Materials Research. Similarly, support
for the development of infrastructure in chemistry also is provided by appropriate
divisions in the Directorates for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and Biosciences
(BIO) through the Division of Biological Infrastructure.
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