Georgia Institute of Technology

Polymer and Perovskite solar cells fabricated in the labs of COPE Prof. Bernard Kippelen (Electrical and Computer Engineering) and COPE, GTPN Prof. Zhiqun Lin (Materials Science and Engineering) have been taken to the International Space Station (ISS) for testing in the harsh space environment as part of the MISSE-12 mission.

CRĀSI member Prof. Mark Losego and GTPN member Prof. Ryan Lively are working on membranes that could separate chemicals without using energy-intensive distillation processes in a wide variety of products including gasoline, plastics, and food. The latest work, published in Chemistry of Materials and sponsored by the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation, outlined a process for taking a polymer-based membrane and infusing it with a metal oxide network. The resulting membrane is far more effective at standing up to harsh chemicals without degrading.

A serendipitous discovery by Graduate Student Dylan Christiansen led to polymers that quickly change color from completely clear to a range of vibrant hues — and back again. The work could have applications in everything from skyscraper windows that control the amount of light and heat coming in and out of a building, to switchable camouflage and visors for military applications, and even color-changing cosmetics and clothing. It also helps fill a knowledge gap in a key area of materials science and chemistry.

Electrochromic films synthesized in the labs of STAMI-GTPN and STAMI-COPE Professor John Reynolds change their colors with the flick of a switch. Now they can be applied more safely thanks to an innovative chemical process that makes them water soluble. They can be sprayed and printed, instead of being confined behind safety implements to handle volatile and toxic fumes. 

STAMI Graduate Students Brandon Ditullio and Marie-Helene Tremblay recently received the 2019 William Emerson Safety Awards for impactful contributions to the safety culture in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Winners are nominated by members of their research groups and members of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Thanks and Congratulations Brandon and Marie-Helene!

COPE and GTPN member Natalie Stingelin has been elected a Materials Research Society Fellow for pivotal contributions to the application of classical polymer science tools for the efficient design and processing of organic electronic and photonic materials and devices. Congratulations Natalie!

STAMI Members and Chemistry & Biochemistry Professors Jean-Luc Bredas (COPE, GPTN) and Seth Marder (COPE, GTPN, CRĀSI) have H-index scores greater than 100, a singular feat that is achieved by few researchers.

Georgia Tech's Center for the Science and Technology of Advanced Materials and Interfaces (STAMI) held its 2018 STAMI Industrial Partners Day and Exposition on Sept. 27-28, 2018 at The Historic Academy of Medicine. The meeting featured talks from leaders in industry and academia, student presentations, and networking opportunities.

COPE, GTPN, and CRĀSI Professors Seth Marder, Zhiqun Lin, Natalie Stingelin, and Carlos Silva from the Schools of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Materials Sciences and Engineering have received a Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) grant for equipment to establish a unique deposition and characterization station for a wide range of metal-halide perovskite materials that will allow control, with high precision, of thin-film deposition from solution in a controlled atmosphere, and enable characterization of the produced films during film formation as well as in device assemblies.

New materials developed in the labs of GTPN, CRĀSI, and SMI member Carson Meredith derived from crab shells and tree fibers has the potential to replace the flexible plastic packaging used to keep food fresh. GTPN, CRĀSI, and SMI members John Reynolds and Meisha Shofner were also part of the team.

The new material is described in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. See the Article in Research Horizons.