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Y. YANG |
Polymers for energy harvesting Due to the greenhouse effect and rising gasoline price, the search of reliable clean energy has become an urgent issue. Among the candidates, the seemingly endless solar energy holds the promise of next round renewable energy, particularly if the price of solar cell can drop to the current cost of electricity. Polymer solar cells have shown potential to harvest solar energy in a cost-effective way. Significant efforts are underway to improve their efficiency to fulfill the requirement of practical applications. Recently we have successfully demonstrated highly efficient polymer solar cells based on a bulk heterojunction of polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) and methanofullerene. A power conversion efficiency (P.C.E.) of up to 4.5 %, was achieved by manipulating the growth of the absorbance layer. Our patented technology allows the control growth of polymer film by controlling the thermal and solvent annealing; the crystallization of the nano system is greatly enhanced, resulted in interpenetrated polymer system. The resulting 3-D interpenetrating network allows the polymer to grow into longer domain and leading to ordered structure and better donor/acceptor (or p-n) junction. In parallel, we have also demonstrated a self-lamination process, which allows the formation of semi-transparent solar cells, ideal for building structure (such as windows). In order to achieve 10% power conversion efficiency (P.C.E.), we are seeking the polymer with smaller bandgap, to cover the longer wavelength up to IR region. Leaded by our organic chemists, a myriad of low band gap polymers have been systematically synthesized and studied. Via facilitating the strength of device engineering and material synthesis, we are capable of achieving 10 % (P.C.E.) in the near future and one step closer to be utilized to generate clean renewable energy. |
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BRUCE DUNN | Materials and Architectures for Electrochemical Power Sources |
VIDVUDS OZOLINS | Advanced materials for hydrogen storage |
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YU HUANG | Nanoscale heterostructure for device applications |
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KING-NING TU | Nano silicide formation in nano Si wires |
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SUNEEL KODAMBAKA | In situ Microscopy - Key to Understanding Nanomaterials Synthesis
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Y.H. XIE | Understanding the fundamental limits in the scaling of Phase-change Random Access Memory Technology based on Chalocogenide Materials |
IOANNA KAKOULLI | Assistant Professor From macro to nano length scale imaging and analysis of bioarchaeological materials Scientific data from the examination of hair and skin specimens of different individuals within the same site showed discrete discrepancies in their morphology and structure. For example, Raman spectra of mummified skin from two different individuals indicated a significant marked loss of protein amide I (1680-1645 cm-1) and amide III (1305-1230 cm-1) on one of the samples analyzed. The taphonomic histories involved at the Tarapacá valley, reflecting postdepositional processes seem to have transformed organic materials both physically and chemically. The occurred modifications in the chemistry and morphology of the materials analyzed have offered meaningful preliminary data to understand the preservation implications of the organic materials. Analyses of both hair and skin have shown promising results, supporting their potential use as taphonomic biomarkers, since variations within individual samples as a product of the diagenetic processes during burial – at a specific site in a given burial micro-environment – offered clues on site formation processes. Ioanna Kakoulli, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, with joint appointment in the UCLA/Getty Conservation Program, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. Professor Kakoulli began her research in archaeological and conservation sciences at the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London and she continued her training in advanced analytical techniques applied in the archaeometric field at the University of Oxford from where she has received her Doctorate of Philosophy (D.Phil.) in Archaeological Sciences. She has acquired further scientific experience through internships and scientific collaborations at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, the Scientific Laboratory of the J. Paul Getty Museum and the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” in Greece. She has participated actively in numerous archaeological excavations and field conservation projects and she has coordinated fieldwork and supervised undergraduate and graduate students. Through her studies and training, professor Kakoulli developed an expertise in the analytical procedures for micro-analysis and non-destructive methods using spectral imaging systems and variable pressure scanning electron microscopy and the advancement of field conservation during excavation and interdisciplinary approaches integrating science, conservation and archaeology. In 2005, Professor Kakoulli has created the Archaeomaterials Group aiming to establish a dedicated research group at UCLA to support research in archaeological and conservation science and forensic analyses of anthropological interest. Her current research projects involve forensic trace evidence studies using optical and molecular biopsies of archaeological human remains aiming to understand the detrimental role of the depositional burial environment and to explore the environmental factors associated with taphonomic processes; the spectroscopic study and provenance of materials; studies in field archaeological conservation techniques; and the development and application of non-invasive diagnostic techniques for the study of the materials and technology of archaeological and cultural artifacts. Professor Kakoulli is co-director of the Tarapacá Valley Archaeological Project in northern Chile and research collaborator in European and international programs. She is the author of various scientific articles in archaeological sciences and conservation and a member of national and international professional and scientific committees. |
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M.S. GOORSKY | Materials Integration for Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications |
J.M. YANG | Advanced hybrid fiber-metal laminates for aircraft structures |
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Q.B. PEI | Professor Polymers for unattainable properties; New materials based on polymer synthesis, nanostructural formulation and/or hybridization have been synthesized with unprecedented properties. We will showcase (1) self-healing artificial muscle for actuation and power generation; (2) synthetic polymers for photovoltaics and light emission; and (3) high-Z composites for gamma ray detection. Qibing Pei is professor of materials science and engineering since July 2004. He worked successively as a senior chemist at UNIAX Corporation, Santa Barbara, CA, which was later merged into DuPont Display, a senior chemist at Imation Corporation, Santa Paul, MN, and a senior research engineer at SRI International, Menlo Park, CA. He has developed a number of electronic and electroactive polymers for applications in electro-optic and electro-mechanical devices, including light emitting diodes, polymer light emitting electrochemical cells, electroactive polymer artificial muscles, and biologically-inspired robots. His research interests cover a wide range of soft materials and span from materials synthesis, processing, to design of functional devices. He applies polymer synthesis and nanofabrication in the discovery of new polymers and hybrid materials. |
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KEYNOTE ADDRESS INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH POSTER COMPETITION CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE RESEARCH REVIEW AWARDS CEREMONY |
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