CAREER: Ultrafast studies of exciton transport in conjugated polymers

在这个由化学部实验物理化学计划资助的职业项目中，Kleiman将使用超快实验和量子化学计算来研究多共轭分子及其光物理性质，以便从整体上了解大分子的新性质。该计划涉及旨在合成超支化聚合物、树枝状大分子和带电低聚物的合作工作。超快光谱被用来研究共轭聚合物中的能量传输，其电子和光学性质可以在分子水平上进行化学控制。理论计算将提供对实验数据的理解，并允许预测可测量的性质和描绘能量传输的基本模型。国际和平协会将作出密集努力，让年轻女性参与化学领域，而在这个领域，年轻女性的代表性严重不足。这将通过认真招聘、指导和鼓励本科生和研究生来实现。还将推动和扩大与拉丁美洲国家本科生的交流计划。K-12年级的社区推广活动将展示女性科学家在当今生活中的重要作用。具有新颖光物理性质的新材料对于开发革命性的分子-光子和光电子元件至关重要。共轭聚合物是一种在光学传感、能量传输和光捕获等方面具有重要性能的材料。这项研究计划是高度跨学科的，涉及合成有机、聚合物、材料科学、理论和非线性光学研究。这些研究的结果将提供对电子和光物理特性的理解，这些特性导致了对光电子学、传感和能量收集有用的独特的光学性质。

In this CAREER project funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Kleiman will study poly-conjugated molecules and their photo-physical properties using both ultrafast experiments and quantum chemical calculations in order to understand novel properties that arise from the macromolecule as a whole. This program involves collaborative work aimed at the synthesis of hyper-branched polymers, dendritic macromolecules and charged oligomers. Ultrafast spectroscopy is used to examine energy transport in conjugated polymers whose electronic and optical properties can be chemically controlled at the molecular level. Theoretical calculations will provide an understanding of the experimental data and allow the prediction of measurable properties and delineation of a fundamental model of energy-transport. The PI will make an intensive effort to involve young women in an area of chemistry where they are vastly underrepresented. This will be accomplished via conscientious recruiting, mentoring and encouragement of both undergraduate and graduate students. Promotion and expansion of an exchange program with undergraduate students from Latin-American countries will also be pursued. Community outreach activities in grades K-12 will showcase the essential role of female scientists in today's life.New materials with novel photophysical properties are crucial for developing revolutionary molecular-photonic and optoelectronic components. Conjugated polymers have emerged as materials exhibiting valuable properties in optical sensing, energy transport, and light harvesting. This research program is highly interdisciplinary, dealing with synthetic organic, polymer, material-science, theoretical, and nonlinear-optical research. The results of these investigations will provide an understanding of the electronic and photo-physical characteristics that lead to unique optical properties useful for optoelectronics, sensing and energy harvesting.