Urgent overhaul of an integrated glovebox/evaporator system for polymer device processing

共轭聚合物是唯一已知的既具有塑料的机械和加工优势，又具有半导体的电学和光学特性的材料。一些共轭聚合物在化学或电化学掺杂时表现出接近金属的导电性；有些是优秀的发光体或光导体，具有易于调节的能隙。这种多功能共轭聚合物在世界范围内正被大力研究，以广泛的潜在应用，包括显示、面板照明和清洁发电。我的研究目标是：(1)为实际应用开发最有效和最稳定的聚合物光子器件，(2)了解潜在的材料和器件物理。我的研究中必不可少的一件设备是定制的MBraun集成手套箱/蒸发器系统，用于聚合物器件的加工。RTI赠款将用于更换/更新该系统的几个关键组成部分，以确保其持续运作。经过彻底改造的MBraun系统将使我能够继续我的NSERC资助的关于尖端聚合物发光器件和聚合物太阳能电池的研究。该系统还为许多hqp提供培训机会，并促进跨学科研究的合作。

Conjugated polymers are the only known materials that possess both the mechanical and processing advantages of plastics as well as the electrical and optical properties of semiconductors. Some conjugated polymers exhibit conductivity close to that of metal when chemically or electrochemically doped; some are excellent light emitters or photoconductors, with easily tunable energy gap. The versatile conjugated polymers are being vigorously researched worldwide for a wide range of potential applications that include displays, panel lighting and clean electricity generation. The goals of my research are (1) to develop the most efficient and stable polymer photonic devices for practical applications, and (2) to understand the underlying materials and device physics. An indispensable piece of equipment for my research is a custom-made MBraun integrated glove box/evaporator system for polymer device processing. The RTI grant would be used to replace/update several key components of the system in order to ensure its continuous operation. The overhauled MBraun system will allow me to continue my NSERC sponsored research on cutting edge polymer light-emitting devices and polymer solar cells. The system also offer training opportunity for many HQPs and foster collaboration for interdisciplinary research.