The objective of the Institute for Polymers and Organic Solids is to develop a new class of chemically synthesized polymers --- polymers as materials for electronics and photonics --- and to focus on their special physical properties. Conducting polymers are a unique class of materials: materials with the electronic and optical properties of metals and semiconductors in combination with the processing advantages and mechanical properties of polymers. The IPOS research program is focused on semiconducting and metallic materials and on the unique phenomena associated with their anisotropic, quasi-one-dimensional structures. Recent progress on semiconducting polymers as light emitting materials is particularly promising. As semiconductors with high quantum efficiency for photoluminescence, conjugated polymers offer promise for use in a variety of applications, including polymer emissive displays and polymer-based lasers.
The Institute is interdisciplinary involving the back and forth interplay between chemical synthesis, broadly based experimental physics, polymer processing and theoretical physics. The approach is to synthesize and study condensed matter materials directed toward desired physical properties, e.g., metals, semiconductors, nonlinear optical materials, laser materials, etc. We utilize the specificity of synthetic chemistry to create novel materials having desired structural features with the eventual goal of using these materials in technology. Experience has demonstrated that fundamentally new concepts and new phenomena continue to be uncovered through such studies of new materials.
The research program of the Institute focuses on studies of the physics, chemistry and polymer science of conjugated polymers, of blends of conjugated polymers with traditional bulk polymers, and of blends and composites of C
60 in conjugated polymers.The Institute is currently involved in a search for a new Director. Professor Heeger has agreed to continue to serve as Director for the 1998-1999 academic year. Professor G. Bazan was appointed Professor of Chemistry and will function as a key member of IPOS. Prof. Bazan arrived at UCSB in the summer of 1998; he already has an active research program underway focused on the synthesis of conjugated polymer and oligomers. This appointment will adds significant strength to the IPOS program. Professor E. Kramer joined the Materials department (Fall '97). Professor Kramer's interests strongly overlap with those of the IPOS program. Other principal contributors to the IPOS research program are Dr. Daniel Moses and Dr. Vojislav Srdanov.
authored by Pat Walker
Last Modified 10/5/98