Single molecule light emitting device

智力优势：有机光电子学是一个快速发展的领域，但迄今为止的大多数研究都集中在涉及大分子系综的薄膜的测量上。本项目旨在研究这些体系的光电性能如何随着器件尺寸减小到纳米和分子尺度而发生变化，并探索单分子发光器件和光学传感应用。这些研究将导致对分子尺度结中的电荷传输机制、载流子能量耗散过程和电极-分子接触效应的新见解，确定电荷传输和光学性质之间的相互作用，并为开发新型器件应用提供基础知识和必要技能。该项目还将对其他各种领域产生重要影响，包括生物光子学和光合作用，以及基于薄膜的光电器件，例如有机光致发光器件和有机发光二极管。此外，它将使工程本科生在新兴领域的研究机会。为此，PI将与富尔顿工程学院和生物设计研究所的外展计划合作，招收少数民族学生。拟议的研究和培训活动还将帮助研究生培养重要的教学、管理和沟通技能。作为推广计划的一部分，将与德国和日本的研究小组开展国际合作，为学生提供国际经验。跨学科研究对下一代科学家和工程师以及下一代有机光电子学具有潜在的变革性影响。

Intellectual Merit: Organic optoelectronics is a rapidly advancing field, but most studies to date are focused on measurements of thin films involving a large ensemble of molecules. The present project aims at studying how the optoelectronic properties of these systems change when the device is decreased to nano- and molecular-scales, and exploring single molecule light emittingdevice and optical sensing applications. Such studies will lead to new insights into charge transport mechanisms, carrier energy dissipation processes and electrode-molecule contact effects in molecular-scale junctions, determine the interplay between the charge transport and optical properties, and provide the basic knowledge and necessary skills to develop novel deviceapplications.Broader Impact: The project will also have an important impact on a variety of other fields, including biophotonics and photosynthesis, as well as thin film-based optoelectronic devices, such as organic photovoltaics and organic light emitting diodes. In addition, it will expose engineering undergraduates to research opportunities in emerging fields. To this end the PIs will work together with the outreach program at Fulton School of Engineering and Biodesign Institute to recruit minority students. The proposed research and training activities will also help graduate students develop important teaching, management and communication skills. As part of the outreach plan, international collaborations with research groups in Germany and Japan will bedeveloped to provide students with international experience. The interdisciplinary research has potential transformational impacts on the next-generation of scientists and engineers, and on the next-generation organic optoelectronics.