Biography:

Jorge Morgado has completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico and postdoctoral studies from the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge UK. He is Associate Professor at IST and vice-president of IST for academic affairs. He has published more than 125 papers in reputed journals

Abstract:

Conjugated polymers possess very interesting properties in the sense that they combine the characteristics of molecular materials with properties that are typical of inorganic semiconductors. In this presentation I will discuss the conjugated polymers fundamental properties in relation to their molecular structure, with the aim of two specific applications in energy generation. The first case study is the application in photovoltaic cells, where the specificities of the devices working processes and the recent progress will be discussed. The case application refers to efforts being developed in the use of these materials in the hydrogen generation and water splitting.

Biography:

Hiroaki Maeda received his B. Sc. in 2010, M. Sc. in 2012 and Ph. D degree in 2015 from The University of Tokyo under the supervision of Prof. Hiroshi Nishihara. His current position is a Project Assistant Professor, working with Prof. Nishihara in The University of Tokyo. His resent research interest lies in the synthesis of metal complex wires and nanosheets, and the evaluation of their functions for the construction of molecular-based devices.

Abstract:

Stepwise preparation of metal complex oligomers and polymers is one of the attractive techniques to construct molecular systems which have desired structures and functions. Our group has developed the formation methods of bis(terpyridine)metal complex (M(tpy)₂, M = Fe, Co, tpy = 2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine) oligomer wires on metallic and semiconducting substrates with the stepwise coordination, and evaluated their electron transport behaviors [1]. The quantitative formations of linear, branched and hetero-metal M(tpy)₂ wires revealed the availability of the stepwise coordination technique to prepare tailored molecular structures. The electron transport analyses using electrochemical methods exhibited the superior long-range electron transport abilities of these wires. The attenuation factor (b) values of the electron transfer rate constant were estimated as 0.008-0.07 Å⁻¹ for Fe(tpy)₂ wires and 0.002-0.004 Å⁻¹ for Co(tpy)₂ wires, suggesting that the M(tpy)₂ wire system is one of the most efficient charge transport molecular chains. In addition, the tuning of the electron transfer rate constant and the b values can be achieved by the selection of wire components (anchor, bridging and terminal ligands, and metal ions). Furthermore, the branched Fe(tpy)₂ wires showed the asymmetric current-time profiles depending on the electron transport direction [2]. The numerical simulation based on the intra-wire charge hopping mechanism could reproduce the series of the asymmetric charge transport behaviors, and allowed us to investigate the charge transport mechanism of M(tpy)₂ wires

Biography:

Suresh S Shendage has completed his PhD from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India. He is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at KET’S Vinayak Ganesh Vaze College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, India. He is also a Research Guide in Chemistry, University of Mumbai. He has published more than12 papers in reputed journals and is a Life Member of Indian Science Congress

Abstract:

Polymers have recently emerged as a versatile support material for the deployment of catalysts. New developments pertaining to the application of polymer supported catalysts are reviewed with a special focus on methodology for carbon-carbon formation. The reactions that are covered include the classical Suzuki, Sonogashira and Heck couplings. Polymer-supported catalysts have many advantages such as, reaction of active intermediates by hold and release', selectivity and immobilization of toxic reagents and byproducts. Methods for carbon-carbon cross-coupling such as the Suzuki, Heck and Sonogashira reactions are the most common applications for polymer bound palladium catalysts. There are several of methods for performing the Suzuki reaction on solid phase, either by means of polymer bound catalysts or with the substrate tethered to a support. Recently much of the focus in the area of polymer supported catalyst has been on the ability to recycle the catalyst, essential from a green chemistry point of view and in addition to limit the extent of leaching of the metal from the solid support. Some polymers such as polythiophene, polypyrrole and polyaniline have been widely studied as supports to disperse metallic particles. Moreover, polymer supported catalyst drawn much attention for electrochemical energy conversion devices such as fuel cells and batteries. Many interesting new polymeric based catalysts have been widely used as electrocatalyst because of their unique optical, electronic, chemical and mechanical properties. In short polymer supported catalysts are more flexible due to various options available for introducing functional groups on polymers.

Biography:

Nagaki received his Ph.D. in 2005 from Kyoto University under the supervision of Professor Jun-ichi Yoshida. He worked with Professor Hiroaki Suga, Tokyo University from 2005 as a postdoctoral fellow. In 2006, he became an assistant professor of Kyoto University.  He was promoted to junior associate professor in 2013. His current research interests are organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, and microreactor synthesis. Awards: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan (2012), Incentive Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan (2012), and Young Innovator Award on Chemistry and Micro-Nano Systems (2013).

Abstract:

Polymerization using the characteristic features of flow microreactor systems such as fast mixing, fast heat transfer, and short residence time has attracted a great deal of attention, and extensive studies have been reported. In this presentation, we report that the cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers can be achieved in a flow microreactor system with excellent molecular-weight distribution control without adding a capping agent, which decelerates the propagation due to the equilibrium between active and dormant species. We also report that flow microreactor systems are effective for accomplishing the controlled anionic polymerization of styrenes or alkyl methacrylates or alkyl acrylates. A high level of control of the molecular weight distribution can be achieved in a flow microreactor under easily accessible conditions. Moreover, the efficient synthesis of well-defined polymers was successfully achieved using an integrated flow microreactor system. Diblock copolymers and triblock copolymers were obtained with narrow molecular weight distributions.

Biography:

Abstract:

Polypropylene is inherently a semicrystalline non-transparent opaque polymer, and can be a suitable substitute for many transparent polymers provided its transparency is improved. The use of transparent PP in packaging, bottle manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries is of paramount importance considering its transparency, chemical resistance, gas impermeability, and low cost, and it is manufactured by thermoforming, injection molding, and blow molding ( extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and injection stretch blow molding). Earlier studies discussed recognition of factors influencing turbidity (opaqueness) of polymer films for packaging applications. This research studied transparency of samples of homopolymer grades (HP502R-HP510L) produced by three types of catalysts with different activities. Haze Meter, Cast Film, FTIR, Gloss Meter, and MFR machines were used and numerous tests including HAZE, MFR, Yellow Index, and Gloss were performed on sample films produced to improve this property through presenting the impact of catalyst activity on the optical properties of polypropylene. Results of tests indicate there is a direct relationship between efficiency of the catalyst utilized in the polymerization process and polypropylene transparency so that it is possible to improve polymer transparency and reduce its opacity by using a highly efficient catalyst. The increase in catalyst activity also improves polymer glossiness. In addition, the yellowness index of a polymer, which is an indicator of residual catalyst, was improved by increasing catalyst activity.

Biography:

Fengyu Li is an Associate Professor of Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests include photonic crystal matericals, high-performance multi-analyte sensing, nanoreactor, printed wearable chip, 3D printing manufacture. His publication includes Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Adv. Mater., Adv. Funct. Mater., Anal. Chem., Sci. Rep. etc. He was invited to contribute two chapters in relative academic books. As the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) member, he proposed the first printed electronics international standard for China. As the penner and expert, he also drafted the Chinese Printing Manufacture Technology Roadmap. 

Abstract:

Focusing on toilless and high-performed multi-recognition, we design novel detection methods and sensor materials including facile fabrication processes. 1) We designed and fabricated a multi-stopband PCs microchip based on hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned substrate. The microchip can selectively amplify the sensing fluorescence in different channels, and perform a high-efficient multi-analyte discriminant testing. The facile fabrication of high-performance PCs microchip and the insight of sensing efficiency evaluation will be of great importance for the development of advanced discriminant analysis for complex analytes in luminescence sensing systems and devices. 2) We investigated the correlative multi-states properties of a photochromic sensor, which is capable of a selective and cross-reactive sensor array for discriminated multi-analytes detection by just one sensing compound. The multi-testing sensor array performed in dark, ultraviolet or visual stimulation, corresponding to different molecular states of spirooxazine metal ions coordination. 3) Printed flexible electronics are drawing enthusiastic attention, because of their features and promising applications in flexible displays, artificial skins, sensors, etc. We demonstrated a feasible strategy to assembly nanoparticles into micro or nanocurves. The curves with various tortuosity morphologies have differential resistive strain sensitivity, which can be integrated to multi-analysis flexible sensor. The printable sensor performed sensitive and stable resistance response on deformations, which could run complicated facial expression recognition, and contribute the remarkable application on skin micromotion manipulation auxiliary apparatuses for paraplegics

Biography:

Jianhui Hou, PhD is a Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS). In 2006, he got his PhD degree at ICCAS; during 2006-2008, he worked at UCLA as the Post-doctoral researcher; during 2008-2010, he worked in Solarmer Energy Inc. as the Director of the research division. At the end of 2010, he joined ICCAS and built a research team. His research focuses on organic photovoltaic materials. In the past few years, he has co-authored >100 papers in peer-reviewed journals and published 18 patents.

Abstract:

Polymer solar cell (PSC) has attracted much attention due to its potential application in production of large area, light weight and flexible panels. In order to improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSC, more and more new materials were designed and synthesized and their properties. In these new materials, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b’]dithiophene (BDT) based conjugated polymers exhibited very promising photovoltaic properties. In our recent works, photovoltaic properties of BDT-based conjugated polymers were tuned through molecular structure design. Functional groups or conjugated components with strong electron-withdrawing effect were introduced into the BDT-based polymers, and HOMO level of the BDT-based polymers can be lowered effectively without sacrificing absorption area and hole mobility. Therefore, higher open circuit voltage (Voc), good short circuit voltage (Jsc) and fill factor (FF) were recorded, and hence ~10% PCE can be realized. These results indicate that two-dimensional structure is an effective way to enhance photovoltaic properties of the BDT-based conjugated polymers. In this presentation, the synthesis process and photovoltaic properties of the newly designed BDT-based materials will be introduced in detail

Biography:

Dr. Giuseppe Antonio Elia is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Technische Universität Berlin. He received his BS (2009), MS (2011) and PhD (2014) degrees from “Sapienza” University of Rome. During his research activities spends several period as visiting scientist in highly qualifies research centers namely Hanyang University, Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology Münster (MEET), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Helmholtz-Institut Ulm (HIU). He has worked on many projects related to the development of advanced lithium ion and lithium air batteries. He has published more than 15 peer-reviewed articles

Abstract:

The replacement of the combustion-engine by sustainable electric or hybrid vehicles, may effectively limit environmental issues such as the global warming greenhouse-gas emission and pollution . Lithium-ion battery represents the most promising candidate as power source for electric vehicle, due to its high energy density, conventionally of about 180 Wh kg^-1, that may assure a driving range of 150 km by single charge . Increased energy, theoretically evaluated in the order of 1000 Wh kg^-1, can be granted by the lithium oxygen system. The applicability of lithium air batteries is limited by several drawbacks, such as the poor electrolyte stability, the short cycle life and the low energy efficiency due to high charge-discharge polarization . A deep knowledge of the lithium-oxygen reaction mechanism and the identification of a stable electrolyte play important role fundamental to allow the practical application of the system. Besides the conventional system employing liquid electrolytes , solid state lithium oxygen batteries employing polymer electrolyte are attracting much attention. The employment of a polymer electrolyte greatly hinder the safety concerns associated to the reactivity of the lithium metal. Furthermore, the replacement of the reactive lithium metal, by an alternative and safe anode material, greatly enhances the safety level of the lithium oxygen cell system. The use of the polymer membrane as well as the replacement of lithium metal by a safe Li-alloying electrode are considered valid strategies suitable for the practical improvement of lithium-ion oxygen battery with increased safety content and enhanced electrochemical performances 

Biography:

Halasa completed his Ph.D. at Purdue University in 1964. Halasa worked as a research associate, and group leader in materials development at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, starting in 1963. In 1979, he accepted an assignment with the Kuwaiti Government to establish a polymer program at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. From 1983 to 2009, Halasa served as R&D Fellow at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, OH.

Abstract:

The successful copolymerization of α-methylstyrene with conjugated dienes such as 1,3-butadiene, isoprene and/or styrene was achieved by anionic solution polymerization in hexane using formulated catalyst systems at the ceiling temperature of α-methylstyrene. This polymerization is unique, since α-methylstyrene cannot homopolymerize above its equilibrium ceiling temperature of 60 oC. Anionic copolymerization of 1,3-butadiene and α-methylstyrene was first performed in hexane at 65 oC using 2/2/1 molar ratio of three different types of catalyst systems; cesium 2-ethylhexoxide (CsOR)/dibutylmagnesium (Mg(Bu)2)/N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylene diamine (TMEDA), CsOR/TMEDA/n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi), and potassium amylate (KOAm)/TMEDA/Mg(Bu)2. Polymers produced from the CsOR-based system showed faster incorporation rates of α-methylstyrene than the KOAm-based system, resulting in the composition of α-methylstyrene as high as 50% compared to a maximum of approximately 25% for the KOAm. Copolymerizations have also been successfully carried out using CsOR/TMEDA/n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi), although other n-BuLi containing systems were not successful. Other monomers such as isoprene and styrene can be used with the CsOR/TMEDA/Mg(Bu)2 catalyst system to produce randomly α-methylstyrene incorporated multiblock diene copolymers.

Biography:

Richard Spontak, Alumni Distinguished Professor at NC State, completed his BS from Penn State, his PhD from UC Berkeley, postdoctoral studies at Cambridge University and industrial research at P&G. He has received numerous (inter)national awards for his research, reported in over 230 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. He sits on the editorial advisory board of 21 journals and is an elected fellow of the APS, IOM3 and RSC, and a member of the NTVA.

Abstract:

Block ionomers are block copolymers possessing at least one charged block and are of growing interest in the "bottom-up" design of developing technologies such as fuel cells, water-filtration membranes and electro¬active media. In most cases involving triblock and higher-order linear multiblock copolymers, however, charged endblocks compromise the stability of network formation, which imparts elasticity and can be of paramount application importance. This study focuses on the morphological development of midblock-sulfonated multiblock ionomers wherein the endblocks self-assemble into glassy microdomains that remain completely unaffected by the presence of the charged midblock and thus stabilize the formation of a molecular network. We have already demonstrated that these unique materials are capable of serving as ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), photovoltaic elastomer gels (PVEGs) and physically-crosslinked hydrogels (PCHs). The polarity of the casting solvent is found to have a profound effect on the observed morphology, as discerned by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and transmission electron microtomography (TEMT). Characteristics of these various morphologies, including dispersed ionic microdomains embedded in a nonpolar matrix, have been measured by synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Exposure of nonequilibrium morphologies to solvent vapor quickly promotes equilibration to the expected alternating lamellar morphology, whereas exposure of the discrete ionic microdomains to liquid water results in a morphological transition that serves to connect the ionic microdomains and permit flow. Real-time SAXS patterns follow these transitions and permit direct correlation with macroscopic observations.

Biography:

Salah S Massoud received his PhD from Boston University and has Post-doctoral studies at Basel University (Switzerland), University of Alberta (Canada) and visiting Professor at Ohio and Houston Universities. He has published more than 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals and he has been serving in Editorial Board Member of Magnetochemistry Journal, Journals of Advances in Chemistry and Modern Chemistry and Applications (JMCA) and Dataset Papers in Materials Science. His research interest is focused on material sciences, bioinorganic and traditional coordination chemistry.

Abstract:

The coordination chemistry of bezenoids and specifically 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dionate, C4O42- (squarate dianion) ligand with different metal(II) ions is addressed. The squarato ligand has been used to construct many polynuclear compounds with different nuclearity and coordination polymers with different dimensionality (1D, 2D, 3D). Assembling divalent and trivalent metal ions through the squarate dianion resulted in a diverse range of bridging modes which will be discussed with emphasize on polydentate-N-donor amines as coligands. The infleunce of of the central metal ion and its electronic nature as well as the role of the coligand(s) in adapting a specific bridged squarato bonding mode will be addressed. The magnetic properties of the structurally characterized bridged-squarato polynuclear and coordination polymeric compounds with Cu(II) and Ni(II) are reported as a function of the structural parameters of the complexes.

Biography:

Jorge Morgado has completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico and postdoctoral studies from the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge UK. He is Associate Professor at IST and vice-president of IST for academic affairs. He has published more than 125 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Investigation of materials and methods to culture and differentiate stem cells is a very interesting research subject with potential high impact in medicine, in applications ranging from therapy to drug delivery. In particular, the use of electric fields in neural stem cells differentiation is being widely studied. This research has a strong component on materials development, in particular polymers, both conductive and insulators, as a culture supporting substrate. We have been investigating the use of conjugated polymers for this end as they allow versatile interactions between cells and flexible materials, processed from solution, while providing electrical stimulus, which is particularly relevant when targeting differentiation of neural stem cells. In addition we have also been exploring the use of scaffolds created by 3D printing to explore the combined effect of topography and electric stimulus on neural stem cell culture and differentiation. In this presentation I will give an overview on the general use of polymers for this purpose and present our latest results.

Biography:

Aleš Ručigaj has completed his PhD at the age of 27 years from Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia and continues his work as a researcher. His current work is oriented around the field of benzoxazines and their appliance in self-healing processes.

Abstract:

The utilization of combined differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques with equivalent temperature programs revealed itself as a useful tool for investigation of cure kinetics, where one of the reactants evaporates during the process. Due to evaporation, the observation using only DSC method resulted in difficulties in quantitative data analysis and examination of curing characteristic and kinetics. The case study of aforementioned technique was performed on bio-based resins (epoxidized vegetable oils, bio-benzoxazines), specifically on epoxidized soybean oil and maleic anhydride mixture, where maleic anhydride reacts and evaporates during the process. The open pan system against high pressure sealed pans was used, since the open process is most likely to be used on industrial base. Experimental data determined by the DSC associated with TGA analysis were successfully applied in the model-fitting procedure. Typical autocatalytic characteristic of the reaction was determined by Malék statistical method and further the Šesták–Berggren autocatalytic model was successfully applied. Additionally, kinetic parameters were determined via model-free method as non-isothermal experiments were performed. The curing kinetics is fundamental in understanding structure/property/processing relationships for manufacturing and utilization of high-performance composites. The main advantage of the designed method is its extension over any curing system with reactant evaporation.

Biography:

Yanlin Song is the Director of Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He won the First Prize of Beijing Science and Technology Award, the Second Prize of National Natural Science Award, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the Prestigious Chinese Chemical Society-Akzo Nobel Chemistry Award, The Outstanding Youth Award of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Outstanding Youth Achievement Award of China Association for Science and Technology. His research interests include information function materials, application of polymers photonic crystals, green-printing materials and technology.

Abstract:

Nanoparticles have aroused great attentions due to their board applications. The research and development of pigment nano-particles has greatly improved the performance of printing products. Based on design and preparation of mono dispersed nanoparticles, we have developed a simple method for assembly of large-area polymer photonic crystals (PCs), and achieved large-scale PCs by inkjet printing and spray coating, as-prepared colloidal PCs posses high mechanical strength, controllable wettability, and tunable stopbands. The extended applications of colloidal PCs are demonstrated in high density information storage, ultra-sensitive detecting, high-efficient catalysis. Based on preparation of nano-composite transfer materials and modification of surface structure and property of plate, we have developed a green platemaking process for printing, which avoids discharge of chemical pollutant during traditional platemaking processes. The development of metal nanoparticle inks is expected to achieve a green revolution in printed circuit board industry, i.e. metal nano-particles could be applied as ink to print conductive circuit directly, which simplifies the complicated preparation process of traditional photolithography method, and significantly prevents discharge of chemical pollutant. Over all, nanoparticles have shown promising prospects in industry, and will lead the printing industry into a new age of greenization and digitalization.