"Research Area Energy, organic semiconductors, transistors, solar cells, carbon nanotube, transparent electrodes, sensors, soft materials, organic and polymer synthesis and characterization, nano- and micropatterning, bio-inspired assembly, and device fabrication and characterization "Description of Research The research programs in my laboratory are centered on using chemical and chemical engineering approaches towards the fabrication of functional nano- and microstructures with novel electronic and photonic properties. Our research activities involve organic and polymer synthesis, surface chemistry, nano- and micropatterning, bio-inspired patterning and assembly, and materials and device characterization. The approach we take is multidisciplinary, involving chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, physics, and electrical engineering. The devices of current interest are organic and carbon nanotube thin film transistors, organic photovoltaic cells, transparent electrodes, chemical and biological sensors and molecular switches,. These devices are used as characterization tools for fundamental charge transport and photophysics studies. They are also of practical interest for nano-scale electronics, alternative energy sources, low cost and large area flexible plastic circuits, displays, and disposable sensors."

"In their new approach, the team used a process in which the reinforcing nanoparticles are first assembled into a three-dimensional network through gelation of nanoparticle dispersion, essentially forming a template. This template can then be filled with any polymer of choice by exchanging the solvent with a polymer-containing solution."

The layered morphology of silicate clay provides an effective barrier to oxidative degradation of the matrix resin. However, as resin thermal stability continues to reach higher limits, development of an organic modification with comparable temperature capabilities becomes a challenge. Typically, phyllosilicates used in polymer nanocomposites are modified with an alkyl ammonium ion. Such organic modifiers are not suited for incorporation into high temperature polymers as they commonly degrade below 200oC. Therefore, the development of nanoparticle specifically suited for high temperature applications is necessary. Several nanoparticles were investigated in this study, including pre-exfoliated synthetic clay, an organically modified clay, and carbon nanofiber. Dispersion of the layered silicate increases the onset temperature of matrix degradation as well as slows oxidative degradation. The thermally stable carbon nanofibers are also observed to significantly increase the resin thermal stability.