“Polymers in electronics from insulating to conducting: Fundamental properties and unique capabilities”
The consideration of polymers as electronic materials has a long history. For example, the release of stored charge in insulating polymers was observed at least as far back as the 1930’s. Conductive polypyrrole was reported in the 1960’s. Gate modulated transistors with polymers as semiconductors were reported in the 1980s. However, it is only recently that critical evaluations of the performance, stability, and manufacturability of polymeric electronic materials compared to technological opportunities has influenced polymer electronics research. This seminar will focus on recent results from our research group that probe the present limits to polymer properties and the capabilities they might have that could be superior to those of inorganic counterparts. Concepts will be explained at an introductory level, followed by presentation of detailed findings. Polymer dielectrics, p- and n-type conductors, semiconductors in sensors, thermoelectrics, and bioassembled conductors will be described.
