CAREER: Investigations of Ordered Conducting Polymer Solids and Nanostructures: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Research and Teaching

这个职业奖授予了詹姆斯·E。俄勒冈州大学的哈奇森 由化学部的先进材料计划提供支持。 这项研究的目标是开发新的分子方法， 优化导电性、加工性、非线性光学响应 和/或π共轭导电聚合物的电致变色。 两个新 自组织聚噻吩类将被研究：（1） 通过化学方法制备的区域规则聚-4-烷基-2，2 '-联噻吩 聚合方法，和（2）聚双噻吩/多肽杂化物 通过分子模板法制备。这些聚合物的物理研究 类将决定它们的共轭程度、链间 电荷输运、电导率、带隙和非线性光学 应答聚噻吩/多肽杂化聚合物提供增强的 超分子有序性和制备离散分子的机会 可用作互连的埃级直径的导线 在分子电子器件如晶体管、分子 开关或传感器。 职业教育计划将提供研究和课堂培训 更好地准备学生在多学科研究中脱颖而出 环境.目标包括将研究纳入 本科课程，促进同侪和自学， 向所有学生灌输“能做”解决问题的态度。 虚拟办公时间的建立和表面科学讨论 集团将加强合作。教师指导的自学课程 旨在培养学生解决问题的能力。

This CAREER award made to James E. Hutchison at the University of Oregon is supported by the Advanced Materials Program in the Chemistry Division. The goal of the research is to develop new molecular approaches for optimizing the conductivity, processability, nonlinear optical response and/or electrochromism of pi-conjugated conducting polymers. Two new classes of self-organizing polythiophenes will be studied: (1) regioregular poly-4-alkyl-2,2'-bithiophenes prepared by chemical polymerization methods, and (2) polybithiphene/polypeptide hybrids prepared by molecular templating. Physical studies of these polymer classes will determine their extent of conjugation, degree of interchain charge transport, conductivities, band gaps and nonlinear optical responses. The polythiophene/polypeptide hybrid polymers provide enhanced supramolecular order and opportunities to prepare discreet molecular wires of Angstrom-scale diameter which may be useful as interconnects between molecular electronic devices such as transistors, molecular switches or sensors. The CAREER educational plan will provided research and classroom training to better prepare students to excel in multidisciplinary research environments. Objectives include integrating research into the undergraduate curriculum, promoting peer- and self-learning and instilling a `can-do` problem-solving attitude in all students. Establishment of virtual office hours, and a surface science discussion group will foster collaborations. Faculty-mentored, self-taught courses will be designed to build problem-solving skills.