My research is in the field of conjugated polymers and small molecules for use in organic electronics. The conjugated systems of these materials gives them semiconducting properties, which allows us to use them in place of silicon in solar cells, large area displays (TVs), solid-state lighting, and transistor technologies. Because the semiconductors are plastics, they are flexible. This allows us to make flexible displays, solar cells, and circuit boards. These organic semiconductors can also be dissolved in organic solvents and have inks made out of them, which means we can use ink-jet printing to print out large area solar cells and displays at a fraction of the cost of silicon-based devices.
My current research is focused on the synthesis of new semiconducting polymers with improved light-harvesting capabilities for organic solar cells. I am also developing new organic small molecules that possess a property known as thermally activated delayed fluorescence, in order to make new organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for high efficiency lighting and displays.
