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Highlights

Highlights

We are developing Yb3+-doped CsPbX3 nanocrystals that can convert the energy from absorption of single blue photons into the energy of emission of pairs of near-infrared photons – quantum cutting. We are also developing a new and unique technology that partners such quantum-cutting materials with conventional luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) to massively reduce thermalization losses in LSCs. Our so-called monolithic bilayer LSC is a unique technology that does not require complex wiring or current matching. Using a combination of experimental data and models, we predict that monolithic bilayer LSCs will improve the performance of best-in-class NC LSCs by at least 19%.
We are developing Yb3+-doped CsPbX3 nanocrystals that can convert the energy from absorption of single blue photons into the energy of emission of pairs of near-infrared photons – quantum cutting. We are also developing a new and unique technology that partners such quantum-cutting materials with conventional luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) to massively reduce thermalization losses in LSCs. Our so-called monolithic bilayer LSC is a unique technology that does not require complex wiring or current matching. Using a combination of experimental data and models, we predict that monolithic bilayer LSCs will improve the performance of best-in-class NC LSCs by at least 19%.
Apr 8, 2019
University of Washington

MEM-C IRG-1: Quantum-Cutting Nanocrystals in High-Efficiency Monolithic Bilayer Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Milstein, T. J.; Kroupa, D. M.; Gamelin, D. R., Nano Lett. 2018, 18, 3792. Cohen, T. A.; Milstein, T. J.; Kroupa, D. M.; MacKenzie, J. D.; Luscombe, C.; Gamelin, D. R., J. Mater. Chem. A 2019 DOI: 10.1039/C9TA01261C.
Nanocrystal (NC) luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) represent a promising clean-energy technology capable of concentrating direct and diffuse light to reduce the area of photovoltaic (PV) cells – which are energetically costly to manufacture – required to meet energy demands.
Visitors of all ages enjoy polymer activities led by UCSB MRSEC graduate students and faculty at the MOXI, Santa Barbara.
Visitors of all ages enjoy polymer activities led by UCSB MRSEC graduate students and faculty at the MOXI, Santa Barbara.
Apr 4, 2019
University of California, Santa Barbara

UCSB MRSEC Partners with the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation

The UCSB MRSEC is excited to announce a new partnership with Santa Barbara’s Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation (MOXI). Open in 2017, the MOXI provides a space for hands-on exploration in science and creativity for children and families. In August 2018 the UCSB MRSEC provided a week of polymer activities in MOXI’s Innovation Workshop that attracted approximately 700 visitors.
DNA-inspired switchable synthetic morphologies
DNA-inspired switchable synthetic morphologies
Apr 4, 2019
University of California, Santa Barbara

DNA-inspired switchable synthetic morphologies

Ren, Knight, van Ravensteijn, Kohl, Bou Zerdan, Li, Lunn, Abdilla, Qiao, Hawker UCSB
A novel strategy offers new opportunities to program dynamic behaviors in synthetic polymeric systems, leading to scalable synthesis of “smart” nanosystems. Novel PMMA strand-exchange, inspired by DNA nanotechnologies, enables dynamic behaviors in synthetic polymeric systems. Polymer assembly produces spherical or wormlike micelles, which can be reversibly switched between different morphologies.
During the 2017 Capstone week, teachers shared their education modules with their cohort (top), learned about agriculturally important coffee (bottom left), and about the impact of climate change on coral reefs (bottom right).
During the 2017 Capstone week, teachers shared their education modules with their cohort (top), learned about agriculturally important coffee (bottom left), and about the impact of climate change on coral reefs (bottom right).
Dec 20, 2018
University of Wisconsin - Madison

UW MRSEC Research Experience for Teachers Program Provides both Research and Cultural Literacy Experiences

Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel, University of Wisconsin Madison MRSEC
Teachers from Wisconsin and Puerto Rico came together in Puerto Rico in July 2017 for the capstone week of their Research Experiences for Teachers Program.
An image acquired on a prototype ultrafast camera capable of acquiring images in 200 microseconds. The image shows a metallic glass nanowire, heated inside the microscope into the liquid state so the atoms start to move.
An image acquired on a prototype ultrafast camera capable of acquiring images in 200 microseconds. The image shows a metallic glass nanowire, heated inside the microscope into the liquid state so the atoms start to move.
Dec 20, 2018
University of Wisconsin - Madison

An Ultrafast Camera for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Paul M. Voyles, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Current TEM cameras acquire images in a few milliseconds. The new camera will ultimately acquire images in just 8 microseconds, which will enable researchers to study fast processes in materials like atoms rearranging in a flowing liquid and to probe the smallest structures in materials. 
Understanding Interfacial Growth in Vertically Aligned P–N Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications
Understanding Interfacial Growth in Vertically Aligned P–N Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications
Dec 15, 2018
University of Utah

Understanding Interfacial Growth in Vertically Aligned P–N Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications

Aaron Degrauw*, Rebekka Armstrong*, Ajara A Rahman, Jonathan Ogle and Luisa Whittaker-Brooks *Undergrads
The objective of this effort is to design and develop well defined p-n heterostructures that allow the investigation of their optoelectronic properties due to interfacial interactions.
MRSEC REU student, Nicole Trometer, is a co-author in this study.
MRSEC REU student, Nicole Trometer, is a co-author in this study.
Dec 15, 2018
University of Utah

Synchronized Terahertz Plasmons in Ultra-Thin Membrane GaN HEMT Arrays

J. Encomendero, M. Zhu, Debdeep Jena & Grace Xing; Cornell. M. Trometer; University of Florida. H. Condori, A. Chanana, A. Nahata & B. Sensale-Rodriguez; University of Utah
Promising a myriad of transformative applications in various fields such as communications, security, chemical & biological sensing, and astronomy, terahertz (THz) technology is a very promising technological field. In order to realize efficient THz systems, development of active devices, such as detectors and emitters is required.
(a) Schematic and SEM image of a colloidal Au nanorod (NR) trimer and (b) its s- (red) and p- (black) polarization dependent darkfield scattering spectra. The intensity is normalized by the peak intensity of the s-polarization spectrum. (c) Electromagnetic simulations show a circulating pattern of electric dipoles in the electric field map (top) indicative of the enhanced magnetic field within the center of the NR trimer (bottom). (d) Axial displacement of assembled Au NRs creates “left-handed” (not shown) and “right-handed” 2D enantiomers. The substrate and direction of illumination breaks symmetry in three dimensions, known as extrinsic chirality, creating a chiroptical response.
(a) Schematic and SEM image of a colloidal Au nanorod (NR) trimer and (b) its s- (red) and p- (black) polarization dependent darkfield scattering spectra. The intensity is normalized by the peak intensity of the s-polarization spectrum. (c) Electromagnetic simulations show a circulating pattern of electric dipoles in the electric field map (top) indicative of the enhanced magnetic field within the center of the NR trimer (bottom). (d) Axial displacement of assembled Au NRs creates “left-handed” (not shown) and “right-handed” 2D enantiomers. The substrate and direction of illumination breaks symmetry in three dimensions, known as extrinsic chirality, creating a chiroptical response.
Nov 2, 2018
University of Pennsylvania

Plasmonic Optical and Chiral Optical Responses of Self-Assembled Gold Nanorod Equilateral Trimers

Cherie Kagan (ESE), Chris Murray (Chemistry and MSE), Nader Engheta (ESE) all from the University of Pennsylvania MRSEC (IRG 3)
The groups of Kagan, Murray, and Engheta in IRG3 teamed up to (a) synthesize gold (Au) nanorods (length of ~110 nm, diameter of ~22 nm) and direct their assembly in lithographically-defined templates to form nanorod equilateral trimers. Axial displacement of the nanorods created “right-handed” (R) and left-handed (not shown) two-dimensional chiral enantiomers.
A Philadelphia school district high school teacher supported by the RET program in 2017 (Alexis Rylander Bennett, of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School) is now a full time researcher working with the Janmey lab for the summer and will continue when the school year starts again in Philadelphia. Image source: © Felice Macera
A Philadelphia school district high school teacher supported by the RET program in 2017 (Alexis Rylander Bennett, of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School) is now a full time researcher working with the Janmey lab for the summer and will continue when the school year starts again in Philadelphia. Image source: © Felice Macera
Nov 2, 2018
University of Pennsylvania

Structural Chemo-Mechanics of Fibrous Networks / Broader Impacts

David M. Chenoweth, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania
As part of our commitment to outreach, two students working with David Chenoweth in this IRG  (Alexander Kasznal and Samuel Melton) are involved in Spark mentoring programs. Spark Students are paired with a mentor based on mutual interests. Students visit their mentor’s workplace once a week for 10-13 weeks. Students experience the value of planning, implementation and practice with the creation of a Spark Project.
The plastic deformation of collagen fiber networks was assessed using fibroblast cell spheroids on collagen fiber networks. Second harmonic generation (blue) was used to quantify the persistence of fiber alignment between a pair of cell clusters (green). Persistence of fiber alignment was observed after cellular contractility was abolished using treatment with blebbistatin or trypsin.
The plastic deformation of collagen fiber networks was assessed using fibroblast cell spheroids on collagen fiber networks. Second harmonic generation (blue) was used to quantify the persistence of fiber alignment between a pair of cell clusters (green). Persistence of fiber alignment was observed after cellular contractility was abolished using treatment with blebbistatin or trypsin.
Nov 2, 2018
University of Pennsylvania

Mechanisms of Mechanical Plasticity in Collagen Networks from Contractile Forces

Primary Collaborators: Rebecca Wells (Medicine) and Vivek Shenoy (MRE) both members of the University of Pennsylvania MRSEC, IRG 2.
A collaboration (Wells, Shenoy) in IRG 2 studied the mechanisms of mechanical plasticity in collagen networks resulting from contractile forces produced by cellular aggregates placed within them. The Wells group used fibroblast spheroids seeded atop collagen gels to study the plasticity of collagen fiber networks due to cell-induced forces. Second harmonic generation imaging and spectral analysis enabled quantification of the alignment of fibers between a pair of contractile cell clusters.

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