GOALI: Quantum Amplified Isomerization: A New Strategy for Polymeric Optical Materials

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This GOALI award, co-funded by the Division of Materials Research and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities of the Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences, involves a collaboration between the University of Rochester and the Eastman Kodak Company. A new concept for photoresponsive polymers is described based on a process called Quantum Amplified Isomerization (QAI). QAI materials are defined as polymers that undergo electron transfer-initiated ion radical chain isomerization reactions upon absorption of light. QAI materials have the potential to overcome many of the known problems associated with existing photoresponsive polymers, while still retaining their primary advantages. Specifically, QAI materials are designed to produce many chemical tranformations per photon absorbed, with little or no accompanying dimensional changes. The primary research goals of this proposal are: (1) to obtain a predictive understanding of the fundamental ion radical chain reaction chemistry that forms the basis of QAI processes, (2) to test sensitization strategies for the efficient inititaion of QAI processes, (3) to use the insights from (1) and (2) to design and synthesize functionalized QAI polymers, and (3) to characterize key optical properties of new QAI materials.This collaboration is in the fields of photochemistry and optical materials for communications, and involves a number of educational experiences, including on-site industrial research for the students and weekly group meetings among the academic and industrial co-PI's.