CAREER: Building a Bridge Between Research and Education in Materials Chemistry: A Career Development Plan

本提案旨在开发新一代硼磷酸盐基二阶非线性光学（NLO）材料的固态合成路线，该材料具有优异的光学性能（大NLO系数，高光损伤阈值，低吸收截止点，以及短波长的相位匹配）。晶体工程策略将用于生产新型的超分子NLO主客体组件，该组件由金属有机配位聚合物和NLO活性有机发色团衍生。由于聚合物无机基质提供的坚固、无限的结构，这些材料可能具有增强的机械、热稳定性和时间稳定性，这些关键特性阻碍了许多其他有前途的有机分子基NLO材料的商业应用。教育计划的重点是制定一个连贯的方案，在本科和研究生阶段提供材料化学方面的教育和技术培训，并增加西班牙裔少数民族对化学的参与。高等本科材料化学实验课程将着重加强化学专业固态化学和材料化学的教学，为学生未来就业做好准备。本科阶段有才华的西班牙裔学生将获得研究经验，并鼓励他们从事材料化学方面的研究工作。预计该计划将通过增加训练有素和合格的西班牙裔科学家的数量，对美国产生直接影响。提出的研究旨在合成新型非线性光学（NLO）材料，用于光开关、信息存储和激光频率转换等与电信和计算等技术领域相关的应用。此外，新型光学材料的设计和合成不仅可能导致这些领域进一步的技术创新，而且还可能导致全新的技术。这个综合研究和教育项目将教育和训练学生更好地在这些快速发展的领域竞争工作机会。＊＊＊

9733275 Huang This proposal aims to develop solid-state synthetic routes to a new generation of borophosphate-based second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with superior optical properties (large NLO coefficients, high optical damage thresholds, lower absorption cutoffs, and phase matching at shorter wavelengths). Crystal engineering strategies will be used to produce novel supramolecular NLO host-guest assemblies derived from metal- organic coordination polymers and NLO-active organic chromophores. Because of the robust, infinite structures provided by polymeric inorganic host matrices, such materials may have enhanced mechanical, thermal and temporal stability, critical properties that have hampered commercial application of many otherwise promising organic molecule-based NLO materials. The education plan is centered on developing a coherent program for offering education and technical training in materials chemistry at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and on increasing Hispanic minority participation in chemistry. A materials chemistry laboratory course for upper-level undergraduate students will focus on strengthening the teaching of solid-state and materials chemistry for chemistry majors, thus better preparing the them for tomorrow's job market. Talented Hispanic students at the undergraduate level will be provided research experience and encouraged to pursue research careers in materials chemistry. This plan is anticipated to have a direct impact on the nation by increasing the number of highly trained and well-qualified Hispanic scientists. %%% The proposed research is aimed at synthesizing novel nonlinear optical (NLO) materials for applications such as optical switching, information storage, and laser frequency conversion related to technology areas that include telecommunications and computing. Furthermore, the design and synthesis of new classes of optical materials may lead not only to further technological innovations in these areas, but also to totally new technologies. This integrated research and education program will educate and train students to better compete for job opportunities in these fast-breaking areas. ***