Polymers for Capacitors, Transistors, and Fun!
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT
Free – $5
Dr. Yi Liu, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley Lab
6:00-7:30 pm, Free, Hybrid: In-person at Stanford Chemistry Department or virtual, Registration link coming soon!
Abstract
Polymers with engineered functionalities play a crucial role in electronics and energy applications. Advancing materials discovery in this space requires tailored molecular design and innovative polymer architectures. My recent research focuses on designing molecular and macromolecular systems that either inhibit or facilitate charge transport—key factors in defining a polymer’s insulating or semiconducting properties. In this talk, I will discuss dielectric polymers designed for capacitors operating under extreme electric fields and temperatures, highlighting strategies to enhance their breakdown strength and capacitive energy storage performance. In contrast, for applications such as field-effect transistors, where efficient charge transport is critical, I will present new classes of low-bandgap conjugated polymers enabled by a versatile quinoidal unit. Beyond their electronic applications, the unique reactivity of the quinoidal unit allows for the formation of single-crystalline polymers, opening new avenues in polymer science. Through these examples, I will showcase how molecular design can be leveraged to expand the functionality and versatility of polymers.
Short Bio
Yi Liu is a Senior Staff Scientist and director of the Organic Facility at the Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2004 from the University of California, Los Angeles. After his postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute, he joined the Molecular Foundry in 2006 as a staff scientist, launching his independent research career. His research interests include design and self-assembly of functional organic and organic-inorganic hybrid framework materials, materials chemistry for organic electronics, and fundamental understanding of the associated electronic processes.