CAREER: Quasi-Living Polymerizations of Semiconducting Polymers: Tailored Microstructures for Optimal Energy Harvesting

这项研究的重点是开发准活性聚合技术来合成半导体聚合物，目的是改善对其形状、多分散性、尺寸以及最终其光电性能的控制。Luscombe集团开发的这项技术将用于创造各种新型共轭聚合物结构，包括嵌段共聚物、星形聚合物和刷状聚合物。半导体聚合物的光电性能在很大程度上取决于其结构。能够精确地控制聚合物的形状和尺寸将使有机电子器件的制造具有更好的工艺和更好的稳定性。这份职业建议书中涉及的研究项目在平板显示器和光伏滑石设备领域具有明确的技术应用，这与学生和公众都有直接关系。此外，所描述的工作完全是跨学科的，位于化学、物理和材料科学的界面上。这使得研究项目特别适合教育和外展项目。PI通过大学现有的项目积极参与K至12的外展活动，并接受NSF REU和RET项目的学生和教师。这些互动将在很大程度上促进该提案的主要教育目标。第一个目标是通过允许学生学习平板显示器和光伏滑石设备方面的现代技术的最新进展，向初中生和高中生介绍全球教育，同时通过基于互联网的虚拟教室进行国际互动，扩大他们的视野。第二个目标是通过将写作课程纳入现有课程来改善华盛顿大学材料科学与工程系的本科教育。&amp；&amp；&amp；半导体聚合物正在积极开发中，用于制造低成本、轻质和柔性的电子设备，如有机发光二极管、薄膜晶体管和太阳能电池。然而，它们在许多应用中的性能受到我们精确控制它们的合成的能力的限制，从而限制了它们的结构和性能。在这项建议中，将研究控制半导体聚合物合成的基本方面，以便实现对材料的形状、大小和性能的优化控制。这项工作将对光电子器件领域的多个领域产生影响，特别是对有机太阳能电池的改进产生重大影响。本提案中所述的研究是高度跨学科的，非常适合开展外联活动。具体地说，提案中描述的教育目标借鉴了PI的研究、教育和个人经验，将写作纳入华盛顿大学的本科课程，并在向公众介绍聚合物的最新成果的同时，加强全球交流。

The proposed research focuses on the development of quasi-living polymerization techniques for the synthesis of semiconducting polymers with the aim of obtaining improved control over their shape, polydispersity, size and ultimately their optoelectronic properties. The technique developed in the Luscombe group will be used to create a variety of novel conjugated polymer structures including block copolymers, star-shaped polymers, and brush polymers. The optoelectronic properties of semiconducting polymers are known to be heavily dependent on their structures. Being able to control the shape and size of the polymers accurately will enable the fabrication of organic electronic devices with improved processing and better stability. The research program addressed in this CAREER proposal has clear technological applications in the area of flat-panel displays and photovoltalc devices that is directly relevant to both students and the public. Additionally, the work described is fully interdisciplinary lying at the interface of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This makes the research program particularly suitable for education and outreach programs. The PI is actively participating in K through 12 outreach through existing programs in the university, and also accepting students and teachers for the NSF REU and RET Programs. These interactions will be heavily leveraged to advance the major educational goals of the proposal. The first goal is to introduce global education to middle and high school students by allowing students to learn the latest advances in modern technologies about flat panel displays and photovoltalc devices while simultaneously expanding their horizons by interacting internationally via an internet based virtual classroom. The second goal is to improve undergraduate education in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Washington by the incorporation of writing programs into their existing courses.&&&Semiconducting polymers are actively under development for use in low cost, light-weight, and flexible electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes, thin-film transistors and solar cells. However, their performances in many applications is limited by our ability to accurately control their syntheses and hence their structure and properties. In this proposal, the fundamental aspects of controlling the synthesis of semiconducting polymers will be studied so that superior control over the shape, size, and properties of the materials can be achieved. The work will impact a number of areas in the field of optoelectronic devices, and in particular, have a major impact on the improvement on organic solar cells. The research described in this proposal is highly interdisciplinary and well suited for outreach activities. Specifically, the educational goals described in the proposal draw from the PI's research, educational, and personal experience to incorporate writing into the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Washington, and enhance global communication while introducing the latest results about polymers to the general public.