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

化学部支持南达科他州州立大学的Diane Hinkens作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特性。 Hinkens将与南达科他州州立大学和阿贡国家实验室纳米材料中心的科学家合作。 Hinkens将开发实践活动，描述光伏材料纳入移动的科学实验室“移动中的科学”，该实验室横跨南达科他州，覆盖小型农村学校以及美国土著保留地的学校。 此外，她还将为芝加哥科学联盟的化学货车开发一个光伏实验室，该联盟支持芝加哥公立学校的科学教师。像Hinkens博士这样的研究旨在开发用于光伏器件的新型材料，并更好地了解这些材料的行为。 像这样的研究的最终目的是开发更好的太阳能转换材料。 Hinkens博士为扩大参与所作的努力旨在提高科学界代表性不足群体的青年人的参与。

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.