Variable Band-gap Block Copolymers Made from n-type Organoborane Polymers and p-type Thiophene Polymers for Photovoltaics

化学系支持南达科他州立大学的黛安·欣肯斯成为美国化学竞争力研究员。Hinkens博士将合成和研究用于光伏应用的新型可变带隙嵌段共聚物材料的性能。Hinkens将与南达科他州立大学和阿贡国家实验室纳米材料中心的科学家合作。在她扩大参与的计划中，欣肯斯博士将开发描述光伏材料的实践活动，将其纳入移动科学实验室“移动中的科学”，该实验室将穿越南达科他州，到达小型农村学校和印第安人保留地的学校。此外，她将为芝加哥科学联盟的化学车开发一个光伏实验室，该联盟为芝加哥公立学校的科学教师提供支持。像欣肯斯博士这样的研究旨在为光伏设备开发新型材料，并更好地了解这些材料的性能。这类研究的最终目的是开发出更好的太阳能转换材料。欣肯斯博士正在进行的扩大参与的努力，旨在增加来自代表性不足群体的年轻人对科学的参与。

The Division of Chemistry supports Diane Hinkens of South Dakota State University as an American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow. Dr. Hinkens will synthesize and study the properties of new types of variable band gap block copolymer materials for phtovoltaic applications. Hinkens will work in collaboration with scientists at South Dakota State University, and at the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory. In her plan for broadening participation, Dr. Hinkens will develop hands-on activities describing photovoltaic materials for inclusion in the mobile science laboratory "Science on the Move" that travels across South Dakota, reaching small rural schools as well as schools on Native American reservations. In addition, she will develop a photovoltaic laboratory for the Chemistry Van of the Chicago Science Alliance -- which supports science teachers in the Chicago Public Schools. Research like that of Dr. Hinkens is aimed at developing new kinds of materials for photovoltaic devices as well as developing a better understanding of how these materials behave. The ultimate aim of research like this is to develop better materials for solar energy conversion. The efforts at broadening participation being pursued by Dr. Hinkens are aimed at increasing the participation of young people from underrepresented groups in the sciences.