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Edward J. Kramer

Bio: Edward J. Kramer is an academic researcher from University of California, Santa Barbara. The author has contributed to research in topics: Copolymer & Polymer. The author has an hindex of 71, co-authored 170 publications receiving 16611 citations. Previous affiliations of Edward J. Kramer include Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation & KAIST.


Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, a cubic mesostructure with crystalline TiO2 (anatase) in the walls, stable to 400 °C, was synthesized by varying the volume ratio between the copolymer and inorganic components of the precursor solution.
Abstract: Well-ordered mesostructured silica and titania films were prepared using poly(ethylene oxide)−poly(propylene oxide)−poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer species (Pluronic P123) as the structure-directing agents. By varying the volume ratio between the copolymer and inorganic components of the precursor solution, silica and titania thin films with cubic, 2D hexagonal, and lamellar mesostructures were prepared. The regions over which the three phases were obtained correspond well with those of the water−block copolymer binary phase diagram when considered in terms of the volume fraction of copolymer incorporated. In particular, a cubic mesostructure with crystalline TiO2 (anatase) in the walls, stable to 400 °C, was synthesized.

658 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a bilayer of poly(3-hexyl thiophene (P3HT) and poly(6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric-acid-methyl-ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction was used for thermal annealing.
Abstract: Developing a better understanding of the evolution of morphology in plastic solar cells is the key to designing new materials and structures that achieve photoconversion efficiencies greater than 10% In the most extensively characterized system, the poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric-acid-methyl-ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction, the origins and evolution of the blend morphology during processes such as thermal annealing are not well understood In this work, we use a model system, a bilayer of P3HT and PCBM, to develop a more complete understanding of the miscibility and diffusion of PCBM within P3HT during thermal annealing We find that PCBM aggregates and/or molecular species are miscible and mobile in disordered P3HT, without disrupting the ordered lamellar stacking of P3HT chains The fast diffusion of PCBM into the amorphous regions of P3HT suggests the favorability of mixing in this system, opposing the belief that phase-pure domains form in BHJs due to immiscibility of these two components

625 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
17 Oct 2008-Science
TL;DR: This work presents a modular and hierarchical self-assembly strategy, combining supramolecular assembly of hydrogen-bonding units with controlled phase separation of diblock copolymers, for the generation of nanoscale square patterns that will enable simplified addressability and circuit interconnection in integrated circuit manufacturing and nanotechnology.
Abstract: The manufacture of smaller, faster, more efficient microelectronic components is a major scientific and technological challenge, driven in part by a constant need for smaller lithographically defined features and patterns. Traditional self-assembling approaches based on block copolymer lithography spontaneously yield nanometer-sized hexagonal structures, but these features are not consistent with the industry-standard rectilinear coordinate system. We present a modular and hierarchical self-assembly strategy, combining supramolecular assembly of hydrogen-bonding units with controlled phase separation of diblock copolymers, for the generation of nanoscale square patterns. These square arrays will enable simplified addressability and circuit interconnection in integrated circuit manufacturing and nanotechnology.

599 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the academic and industrial aspects of the preparation, characterization, materials properties, crystallization behavior, melt rheology, and processing of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is given in this article.

6,343 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The advent of AuNP as a sensory element provided a broad spectrum of innovative approaches for the detection of metal ions, small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, malignant cells, etc. in a rapid and efficient manner.
Abstract: Detection of chemical and biological agents plays a fundamental role in biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences1–4 as well as in anti bioterrorism applications.5–7 The development of highly sensitive, cost effective, miniature sensors is therefore in high demand which requires advanced technology coupled with fundamental knowledge in chemistry, biology and material sciences.8–13 In general, sensors feature two functional components: a recognition element to provide selective/specific binding with the target analytes and a transducer component for signaling the binding event. An efficient sensor relies heavily on these two essential components for the recognition process in terms of response time, signal to noise (S/N) ratio, selectivity and limits of detection (LOD).14,15 Therefore, designing sensors with higher efficacy depends on the development of novel materials to improve both the recognition and transduction processes. Nanomaterials feature unique physicochemical properties that can be of great utility in creating new recognition and transduction processes for chemical and biological sensors15–27 as well as improving the S/N ratio by miniaturization of the sensor elements.28 Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess distinct physical and chemical attributes that make them excellent scaffolds for the fabrication of novel chemical and biological sensors (Figure 1).29–36 First, AuNPs can be synthesized in a straightforward manner and can be made highly stable. Second, they possess unique optoelectronic properties. Third, they provide high surface-to-volume ratio with excellent biocompatibility using appropriate ligands.30 Fourth, these properties of AuNPs can be readily tuned varying their size, shape and the surrounding chemical environment. For example, the binding event between recognition element and the analyte can alter physicochemical properties of transducer AuNPs, such as plasmon resonance absorption, conductivity, redox behavior, etc. that in turn can generate a detectable response signal. Finally, AuNPs offer a suitable platform for multi-functionalization with a wide range of organic or biological ligands for the selective binding and detection of small molecules and biological targets.30–32,36 Each of these attributes of AuNPs has allowed researchers to develop novel sensing strategies with improved sensitivity, stability and selectivity. In the last decade of research, the advent of AuNP as a sensory element provided us a broad spectrum of innovative approaches for the detection of metal ions, small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, malignant cells, etc. in a rapid and efficient manner.37 Figure 1 Physical properties of AuNPs and schematic illustration of an AuNP-based detection system. In this current review, we have highlighted the several synthetic routes and properties of AuNPs that make them excellent probes for different sensing strategies. Furthermore, we will discuss various sensing strategies and major advances in the last two decades of research utilizing AuNPs in the detection of variety of target analytes including metal ions, organic molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and microorganisms.

3,879 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
17 Apr 2019-Joule
TL;DR: In this paper, a ladder-type electron-deficient core-based central fused ring (Dithienothiophen[3.2-b]- pyrrolobenzothiadiazole) with a benzothiadiadiazoles (BT) core was proposed to fine-tune its absorption and electron affinity.

3,513 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel non-fullerene electron acceptor (ITIC) that overcomes some of the shortcomings of fullerene acceptors, for example, weak absorption in the visible spectral region and limited energy-level variability, is designed and synthesized.
Abstract: A novel non-fullerene electron acceptor (ITIC) that overcomes some of the shortcomings of fullerene acceptors, for example, weak absorption in the visible spectral region and limited energy-level variability, is designed and synthesized. Fullerene-free polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the ITIC acceptor are demonstrated to exhibit power conversion effi ciencies of up to 6.8%, a record for fullerene-free PSCs.

3,048 citations