Science at the Edge - Engineering Seminar

Polymers have been traditionally used as electrically insulating materials: after all, metal wires are coated in plastics to insulate them. During the past two decades or so, a number of synthetic techniques have been devised to produce conjugated macromolecules with the processing advantages of plastics and the optoelectronic properties of inorganic semiconductors for flexible device applications, including organic light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic cells. Having conjugated all-carbon structures, carbon nanotubes also possess certain similar physicochemical characteristics as conjugated macromolecules, apart from their superior thermal and mechanical properties. While there is currently a large effort worldwide in developing nanocomposites from nonaligned carbon nanotubes and polymers, the combination of the unique physicochemical properties of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes with comparable optoelectronic properties of appropriate conjugated macromolecules or nanoparticles has yielded some interesting synergetic effects. In this talk, I will present some of our work in these exciting areas, along with various rational concepts for the design and development of multifunctional materials based on appropriate conjugated macromolecules and aligned carbon nanotubes for certain device applications.

For further information please contact Prof. Christina Chan, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at krischan@egr.msu.edu

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation. Please call the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at 355-5135 at least one day prior to the seminar; requests received after this date will be met when possible.