Polymer Optoelectronics

Our lab conducts research on optoelectronics -- ECDs, LEDs, LECs, and photovoltaics -- using novel polymeric materials. Polymer electronics promise low-cost screen-printable electronics that may be deposited on plastic substrates. See a movie of an electrochromic device (Quicktime, 4MB)

ITO patterned substrate

Artificial Neural Networks

We aim to develop small scale neural-like networks based on conducting polymers. Utilizing dopant-activated conductivity and non-linear signal transport, we aim to develop both single-neuron models and small (~10 element) neural networks. These hybrid electric/ionic networks could then be used for new analysis of neural signaling algorithms and for coupling to biological systems.

Polypyrrole (PPy) neural network

Biosensors

We are working on understanding optical biosensors in which the reaction of the polymer to the presence of the anaylate is optical. If a photoluminescent polymer is used then its luminescence can be quenched and unquenched relative to a given analyate, signaling the presence of that chemical.