Speaker's Bio:  Uwe Bunz was born in Neheim Hüsten in the province of Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 1963. He received his Abitur at the Gisela-Gymansium in München in 1982 and studied Chemistry at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München where he received his Dipl. Chem. in 1987 and his Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude) in 1990 under the direction of Professor Günther Szeimies on the synthesis of bridgehead-coupled bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes. He experienced his postdoc as a DFG Scholar (1991-1992) with Professor K. Peter C. Vollhardt at UC Berkeley and returned to Germany in September 1992 to start his Habilitation at the Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, first as a Liebig scholar (1992-1994) and then as a DFG scholar (1994-1996). In 1997 he obtained his venia legendi in organic chemistry (Dr. rer. nat. habil.) at the Gutenberg-Universität Mainz under the auspices of Professor Klaus Müllen. He stayed on in Mainz as a Heisenberg-Scholar and moved in August 1997 as an Associate Professor to the University of South Carolina at Columbia where he was awarded the NSF Career Award (1999) and the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2000). In 2001 he was promoted to Full Professor. Since 2003 he holds a position as Full Professor at the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His hobbies are cooking/baking, swimming (not competitive) and long board surfing (poorly) as well as MMORPGs. His research interests include alkyne chemistry, arene chemistry, aspects of aromaticity, larger heteroacenes, and synthesis and characterization of poly(aryleneethynylene)s and their use in sensory applications. He has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications.

Abstract:  Poly(aryleneethynylene)s (PAE) are easily synthesized, chemically stable, and color- responsive towards their surroundings. These superbly chromic polymers are attractive as active transducers in sensors and advanced organic electronic devices. PAEs are generally fluorescent with emission maxima ranging from 420-600 nm, and can be either water- or organo-soluble. PAEs from linear building blocks are rigid rod molecules and display a host of supramolecular arrangements in solution and in the solid state. The poly(paraphenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) are lyotropic or thermotropic smectic liquid crystalline. In the solid state PPEs, display lamellar structures that lead to distinct stranded nanoscale morphologies. The spectroscopy and the optical properties of the PAEs and in particular of the PPEs are dominated by their conformation, which is influenced by solid-state packing, solvent, temperature and other factors. The presence of twisted and planar forms and their interconversion leads to attractive structure/property relationships; PAEs are of use as ingredients for advanced supramolecular materials.

Speaker's Bio:  Kelly Chichak is a Lead Scientist at General Electric's Global Research Center. At the center, his research efforts have been focused on developing fluorescent, phosphorescent, and charge transport materials for the OLED Advanced Technology program. He received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Alberta, Canada.

Abstract:  A series of investigations concerning the preparation of heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes containing pyrrole-based ancillary ligands led to the development of a new class of acylpyrrolic iridium(III) phosphors which show a marked increase in their quantum efficiencies both in solution and in thin films. Described in this seminar are the preparation of some candidate acylpyrrole Ir(III) complexes, their performance in solution-processed organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) both as small molecules and as suitably appended polyfluorene materials, and some recent investigations of the pendant side-chain modification of emissive polymeric materials by employing dynamic covalent chemistry.

Speaker's Bio:  Dr. Huixin He received her PhD in Peking University, China in 1997. She joined National University of Singapore as a research associate, working mainly on plastic microfluidic channels and micropatterns by soft lithography. In 1999, she came to the United States to work with Professor Nongjian Tao at Arizona State University. Shemainly working on molecular electronics, including the electronic properties of metallic quantum wires and single chain conducting polymer wires. In 2002, she joined the Chemistry Department, Rutgers University at Newark, as an assistant professor. Her current research interests include conducting polymer nanocomposites and their applications in sensitive and selective chemical and biosensor and flexible electronics. To reach a truly synergistic combination of the merits of each individual component in the nanocomposites, her group paid special efforts to understand the monomer-nanotube interfacial chemical and electronic interactions during polymerization and polymer-nanotube interfacial interactions after the polymerization. She is also actively working on developing nonviral delivery and co-delivery systems for therapeutic genes and hydrophobic anticancer drugs using various novel nanomaterials.

Abstract:  Conducting polymers are extremely attractive for sensor applications because their conductivity and electrochemical activity are extremely sensitive to molecular interactions, which provide excellent signal transduction for molecular detection. The inherent specificity of the conducting polymer based sensors stems from the fact that only certain chemicals can trigger a dramatic conductance change. It can be made more specific by further chemical functionalization of the polymer. However, the relative low conductivity and low electrochemical activity, especially in neutral pH solutions, which is a prerequisite for biosensor applications.. The low mechanical and chemical stabilities further limit conducting polymers for some practical applications.

Inspired by the remarkable electrical and thermal conductivities, and the superior mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), tremendous efforts have been made over the past decade to prepare polymer and carbon nanotube composites. However, to truly synergistically combine the merits of each individual component in the nanocomposites is critically dependent on the monomer-nanotube interfacial chemical and electronic interactions during polymerization and polymer-nanotube interfacial interactions after the polymerization. Taking advantages of the well-documented surface chemistry and electronic structure of single stranded DNA dispersed and functionalized carbon nanotubes, we discuss the multiple important aspects to reach synergistic enhancement in fabrication of conducting polymer composites for biosensor and flexible electronic applications.

Speaker's Bio:  Dr. Doug Kiserow joined the Chemical Sciences Division of the Army Research Office in 1993 as Program Manager of Polymer Chemistry. During his 15 years at the Army Research Office, he has served as acting Associate Director of the Chemical Sciences Division, acting Director of the Physical Sciences Directorate, and Program Manager of the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, while continuing to develop and manage extramural research programs in polymer chemistry. In 2008 he became Chief of the Chemical Sciences Division (and continues to manage the polymer chemistry program) and is adjunct professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University where he advises Ph.D. candidates and post doctoral researchers exploring supercritical fluids in polymer synthesis and as a processing aid. Doug is active in the American Chemical Society and has served as Programming Chair of the Polymer Division.

Abstract:  There’s no question that polymeric materials play a critical role in a vast array of items we all depend on every day. It’s also true that the Soldier literally also puts his/her life on the line daily, depending on the performance of polymeric materials. High profile gear, such as Kevlar® vests and composite helmets are well known to the public. However there are other critical applications that receive little attention, such as sensors for toxic materials. In this talk, I will discuss Army programs in basic research exploring polymers as sensors for toxic materials, including research in progress and research successes that have transitioned to products.

Speaker's Bio:  Dr. Kalle Levon, a Chemistry Professor, obtained his BSc and MS education in Organic Chemistry at the Helsinki University having been born in Finland in 1951. His intensive interest in Microscopy and Photography led him to the world of chemistry and he concluded his education receiving his doctoral degree at the prestigious Tokyo University in 1986. He started his teaching career at Polytechnic University in 1989 and soon was promoted to full professorship and departmental leadership in 1995. He pioneered the departmental transition from polymer chemistry to the field of biological sciences and engineering with successful fundraising of more than $5M for departmental development. The department rose from the bottom position to the top in doctoral studies and research at Polytechnic University. His further administrative period as the Dean of Research and Intellectual Property focused on building the University patent portfolio and with the limited budget, the number of patents rouse to above 40 application. In addition he initiated and founded the BEST incubator center – Brooklyn Enterprise for Science and Technology.

The pioneered transition has brought the University closer the health sciences and engineering with the initiation of undergraduate premed program, and graduate programs in biomedical engineering and bioinformatics. Dr Levon has been the leading forerunner by taking the lead of teaching new courses: Biosensors, Tissue Engineering, Sequence Analysis and Protein Structure/Property Relationship. His research funding with more than $5M in the past ten years has led to novel discoveries in the health diagnostics including bacteria, virus, protein and DNA detection. The engineering approach highlights the discovery of cancer markers at an early stage, a very important form of change detection revealing early alerts before the symptoms appear. Dr. Levon continues his focused efforts on the early detection of diseases for optimal preventive care opportunities and to assist medical doctors for their point-of-care diagnostics.

Abstract:  A potentiometer traditionally monitors the ion exchange of small ions with a working electrode which has a selective membrane. We present polyaniline electrodes for the monitoring of macromolecular binding such as DNA hybridization. Three observations can be recorded: The binding of the complimentary target molecules with the immobilized probes reveal a substantial potential change. Secondly, potential does not change with the non-complimentary targets nor with the samples with a mutation in the sequence. We also present the use of our polyaniline potentiometer for antibody-antigen binding.

Speaker's Bio:  Andy H. Tsou presently is the Section Head of Structure and Performance of Organic Materials in Corporate Strategic Research of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company at Clinton, New Jersey. Andy received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 1987 and has more than 60 issued patents and patent applications and about 100 Journal publications. Andy spent 10 years at Eastman Kodak Company at Rochester, New York, before joining ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Baytown, Texas. He was transferred to ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company in 2007. Andy is responsible for the development and commercialization of Exxcore™ DVA (dynamic vulcanized alloy) tire innerliner material in 2007 and was involved in development and commercialization of Vistamaxx™ thermoplastic elastomer in 2004. Andy has also participated in the commercialization of the scratch-resistant backing for Kodak consumer photographic films in 1997 and commercialization of the easy-cut and debris-free motion-picture photographic polyester film base in 1996. For his work in Exxcore DVA, Andy was featured in Essential 2 campaign for the cover page article of American Chemistry Council in 2007. Andy has also received Sparks-Thomas Award from ACS Rubber Division in 2004. Best Paper Award from ACS Rubber Division in 2002, Best Symposium Award from ACS Rubber Division in 2002, Netzsch Instruments Frank Giblin Memorial Award in Polymer Analysis in 2000, and Best Paper Award from EPSDIV, SPE in 1995.

Abstract:  Due to their excellent energy and power-to-weight ratio, as well as life, lithium ion batteries (LIB) are the power source of choice for portable electronics such as cell phones, cameras, and notebook computers. Consequently, LIB's have enjoyed robust growth (around 15% per year for the last 15 years). LIB's are also used extensively in biomedical and military applications. Now, combined market, political, and environmental forces suggest that prospects for widespread use of LIB's in transportation - hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (pHEV), as well as plug-in electric vehicles (EV) - are bright. In order to meet the transportation demands for increased energy, power, safety, longevity, and reduced cost, research and development on all aspects of LIB materials and design have accelerated greatly. LIB's have three critical solid components - cathode, anode, and a thin (typically 10-30 μ) microporous polyolefin separator film – along with liquid or gel electrolyte. In this talk, we focus on the role of the separator and the increasing demands put upon it. In general, separators must be: (1) chemically inert and separate the anode and cathode electrically (2) flexible, tough, and dimensionally stable (3) microporous to allow ion transport between cathode and anode (4) a safety device that helps shut down the battery in the event of an exotherm from abuse or a potential battery flaw. We will discuss advances in separator fabrication (eg. co-extrusion) and design using new materials to achieve improved properties. These will be considered in the context of overall battery requirements for transportation. Prospects for further enhancements in separator performance will be discussed briefly. This is joint work with Patrick Brant, Global R&D, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.