Colloidal crystals are model systems for understanding the structure and dynamics of crystals and crystal formation on a single particle level. When properly dried, they may be used as templates for photonic crystals, which in turn may lead to an entirely new generation of tiny optical devices.
Visualize a TV screen that you can roll down like a window shade. Imagine a laptop computer screen that provides clarity and true color from all angles. How about smart, safety clothing that adjusts its own brightness? Simmons undergraduates are working with faculty at Simmons College and the Cornell Center for Materials Research to make products like these a reality.
The goal is to create tiny light sources that are not only flexible, but also have long-term durability. These new devices need to surpass the durability of traditional LEDs (light emitting diodes), a staple for alarm clocks and VCR displays. Current generation light sources using organic electronics lose their brightness over time and are sensitive to air and moisture.
Simmons professors students are currently collaborating with professors at Cornell and Princeton Universities on a new three-year project: Fundamental Studies and Device Applications of Ionic Transition Metal Complexes (iTMC),which is funded by the National Science Foundation. The aim of this research is to understand the mechanism of operation and the relevant degradation pathways of iTMC devices. The ultimate goal is to synthesize novel iTCMs and produce devices with improved stability under minimal encapsulation conditions, and emission that covers the visible part of the spectrum. show blue emission and improved stabilityof electroluminescent iTMC (ionic transition metal complex) devices.
Part of Project to be done at Simmons this year: Degradation studies of [Ru(bpy)3]2+-based devices.
During this first year of the project, Prof. Soltzberg and his students will conduct MALDI TOF mass spectrometry studies on layers provided by the Cornell group and also on devices fabricated at Simmons by Prof. Goldberg and her students. Studies will be done on devices operated over time and including the point of device failure. Prof. Goldberg and her students will establish baseline electrical and optical characteristics for these devices. Prof. Kaplan and his students will take complementary UV-visible and infrared absorption spectra of the same devices over time.
We are trying to understand and control the operative crystal growth mechanism involved in biologically relevant crystal systems. Currently, we are templating the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate on gold via microcontact printing. This work is important in that calcium oxalate monohydrate is the main inorganic component in 70-80% of all kidney stones.
