Development of Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Photochemistry and Photophysics

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The objective of this research program is to develop advanced materials which interact with light to give rise to new and important properties and applications.  Advanced materials are critical for new technologies and manufacturing processes, and their development begins with a fundamental understanding of the underlying electroinic properties of the materials.  The research program is directed towards diverse applications in displays, anti-microbial textiles, biological imaging and energy harvesting, with the common theme that all applications involve interactions with light. Three themes will be pursued towards this objective.  The first theme involves the development of photofunctional and tunable organic chromophores and fluorophores which will target applications in energy harvesting, displays and imaging.  This theme will build on discoveries in the research program over the last six years, and aims to uncover new paradigms in the interaction of these new materials with light.  In the second theme, photoactive metal complexes will be developed for application in dye-sensitized solar cells.  The major aim will be to use cheaper and more readily available first row transition metals for these alternative solar energy harvesting applications.  The final theme focuses on photochemical cross-linking of polysiloxanes and other polymers.  This approach can be used to 3D print polymers, and the anti-microbial and anti-viral properties of these cross-linked polymers will be examined.  Cross-linking on fabric and textile substrates will be used to make new modified materials with potential applications in the clothing and medical textile industries.   Advanced manufacturing is one of six priority area in the Innovation and Skills Plan of Canada. The development of new materials is a pillar of advanced manufacturing and critical to economic growth in an innovative country. The objectives of this proposal are strongly aligned with this plan, and position us to have exceptional impact to the field ultimately impacting on job creation, creation of start-up companies, and transformational technologies.