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Michael Popall

Other affiliations: DuPont, Joanneum Research
Bio: Michael Popall is an academic researcher from Fraunhofer Society. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hybrid material & Thermal stability. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 81 publications receiving 2292 citations. Previous affiliations of Michael Popall include DuPont & Joanneum Research.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: First applications of the two-photon polymerization technique for the fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures and photonic crystals in inorganic-organic hybrid polymers with a structure size down to 200 nm and a periodicity of 450 nm are discussed.
Abstract: Investigations of two-photon polymerization of inorganic-organic hybrid materials initiated by femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser pulses are performed. First applications of this technique for the fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures and photonic crystals in inorganic-organic hybrid polymers with a structure size down to 200 nm and a periodicity of 450 nm are discussed.

550 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, inorganic-organic hybrid polymers (ORMOCER®s) for integrated optical and opto-electronic devices were synthesized by sol-gel processing of functionalized alkoxysilanes.
Abstract: New inorganic-organic hybrid polymers (ORMOCER®s) for integrated optical and opto-electronic devices were synthesized by sol-gel processing of functionalized alkoxysilanes. Process parameters (catalyst, temperature etc.) were optimized to achieve highly reproducible low cost materials which are photopatternable even in higher layer thickness (presently 100 μm within one step). The resulting materials have low optical losses at the most important wavelengths for telecommunications in the NIR range (0.3 dB/cm at 1320 nm, 0.6 dB/cm at 1550 nm) and a variety of additional advantageous properties for optical interconnection technology and production of opto-electronic devices: good wetting and adhesion on various substrates (e.g. glass, silicon and several polymers), low processing temperatures (post-bake at 150°C) and high thermal stability (decomposition at 270°C) compared to alternative opto-polymers for NIR applications. A further advantage is a tunable refractive index, which can be achieved by mixing different resins.

197 citations

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TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on materials for optical (telecom/microoptics) applications and characterize the optical behavior with respect to the chemical functionalities, as well as some application examples of selected optical components.

176 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a particular material system is discussed, which is synthesized without addition of water and is applied in optical communications, in particular, 3D photonic crystal structures are described and discussed.
Abstract: Sol-gel synthesis allows inorganic–organic hybrid polymer materials (ORMOCER®s) to be produced, which can be functionalized to tailor their physical and chemical properties such as refractive index or optical loss. A particular material system is discussed here, which is synthesized without addition of water and is applied in optical communications. As examples for 2D and 2.5D technology, planar waveguides, stacked waveguides, and microlenses are shown. Using two-photon polymerization initiated by femtosecond laser pulses, arbitrary 3D structures can be made in the submicrometer range. In particular, 3D photonic crystal structures are described and discussed.

118 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an ORMOCER (organically MOdified CERamics) is synthesized as a matrix for Li-ion conduction and conductivities of up to 10−4 Ω−1/cm−1 at room temperature (RT) were achieved without plasticizer.

115 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This Review focuses on recent developments on flat, ultrathin optical components dubbed 'metasurfaces' that produce abrupt changes over the scale of the free-space wavelength in the phase, amplitude and/or polarization of a light beam.
Abstract: Metamaterials are artificially fabricated materials that allow for the control of light and acoustic waves in a manner that is not possible in nature. This Review covers the recent developments in the study of so-called metasurfaces, which offer the possibility of controlling light with ultrathin, planar optical components. Conventional optical components such as lenses, waveplates and holograms rely on light propagation over distances much larger than the wavelength to shape wavefronts. In this way substantial changes of the amplitude, phase or polarization of light waves are gradually accumulated along the optical path. This Review focuses on recent developments on flat, ultrathin optical components dubbed 'metasurfaces' that produce abrupt changes over the scale of the free-space wavelength in the phase, amplitude and/or polarization of a light beam. Metasurfaces are generally created by assembling arrays of miniature, anisotropic light scatterers (that is, resonators such as optical antennas). The spacing between antennas and their dimensions are much smaller than the wavelength. As a result the metasurfaces, on account of Huygens principle, are able to mould optical wavefronts into arbitrary shapes with subwavelength resolution by introducing spatial variations in the optical response of the light scatterers. Such gradient metasurfaces go beyond the well-established technology of frequency selective surfaces made of periodic structures and are extending to new spectral regions the functionalities of conventional microwave and millimetre-wave transmit-arrays and reflect-arrays. Metasurfaces can also be created by using ultrathin films of materials with large optical losses. By using the controllable abrupt phase shifts associated with reflection or transmission of light waves at the interface between lossy materials, such metasurfaces operate like optically thin cavities that strongly modify the light spectrum. Technology opportunities in various spectral regions and their potential advantages in replacing existing optical components are discussed.

4,613 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a vectorial chemistry approach for the generation of new generations of hybrid materials, which will open a land of promising applications in many areas: optics, electronics, ionics, mechanics, energy, environment, biology, medicine for example as membranes and separation devices, functional smart coatings, fuel and solar cells, catalysts, sensors, etc.
Abstract: Organic–inorganic hybrid materials do not represent only a creative alternative to design new materials and compounds for academic research, but their improved or unusual features allow the development of innovative industrial applications. Nowadays, most of the hybrid materials that have already entered the market are synthesised and processed by using conventional soft chemistry based routes developed in the eighties. These processes are based on: a) the copolymerisation of functional organosilanes, macromonomers, and metal alkoxides, b) the encapsulation of organic components within sol–gel derived silica or metallic oxides, c) the organic functionalisation of nanofillers, nanoclays or other compounds with lamellar structures, etc. The chemical strategies (self-assembly, nanobuilding block approaches, hybrid MOF (Metal Organic Frameworks), integrative synthesis, coupled processes, bio-inspired strategies, etc.) offered nowadays by academic research allow, through an intelligent tuned coding, the development of a new vectorial chemistry, able to direct the assembling of a large variety of structurally well defined nano-objects into complex hybrid architectures hierarchically organised in terms of structure and functions. Looking to the future, there is no doubt that these new generations of hybrid materials, born from the very fruitful activities in this research field, will open a land of promising applications in many areas: optics, electronics, ionics, mechanics, energy, environment, biology, medicine for example as membranes and separation devices, functional smart coatings, fuel and solar cells, catalysts, sensors, etc.

2,321 citations

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TL;DR: Polymers are by far the most utilized class of materials for AM and their design, additives, and processing parameters as they relate to enhancing build speed and improving accuracy, functionality, surface finish, stability, mechanical properties, and porosity are addressed.
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) alias 3D printing translates computer-aided design (CAD) virtual 3D models into physical objects. By digital slicing of CAD, 3D scan, or tomography data, AM builds objects layer by layer without the need for molds or machining. AM enables decentralized fabrication of customized objects on demand by exploiting digital information storage and retrieval via the Internet. The ongoing transition from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing prompts new challenges for mechanical engineers and materials scientists alike. Because polymers are by far the most utilized class of materials for AM, this Review focuses on polymer processing and the development of polymers and advanced polymer systems specifically for AM. AM techniques covered include vat photopolymerization (stereolithography), powder bed fusion (SLS), material and binder jetting (inkjet and aerosol 3D printing), sheet lamination (LOM), extrusion (FDM, 3D dispensing, 3D fiber deposition, and 3D plotting), and 3D bioprinting....

2,136 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, a class of π;-conjugated compounds that exhibit large δ (as high as 1, 250 × 10−50 cm4 s per photon) and enhanced two-photon sensitivity relative to ultraviolet initiators were developed and used to demonstrate a scheme for three-dimensional data storage which permits fluorescent and refractive read-out, and the fabrication of 3D micro-optical and micromechanical structures, including photonic-bandgap-type structures.
Abstract: Two-photon excitation provides a means of activating chemical or physical processes with high spatial resolution in three dimensions and has made possible the development of three-dimensional fluorescence imaging, optical data storage, and lithographic microfabrication. These applications take advantage of the fact that the two-photon absorption probability depends quadratically on intensity, so under tight-focusing conditions, the absorption is confined at the focus to a volume of order λ3 (where λ is the laser wavelength). Any subsequent process, such as fluorescence or a photoinduced chemical reaction, is also localized in this small volume. Although three-dimensional data storage and microfabrication have been illustrated using two-photon-initiated polymerization of resins incorporating conventional ultraviolet-absorbing initiators, such photopolymer systems exhibit low photosensitivity as the initiators have small two-photon absorption cross-sections (δ). Consequently, this approach requires high laser power, and its widespread use remains impractical. Here we report on a class of π;-conjugated compounds that exhibit large δ (as high as 1, 250 × 10−50 cm4 s per photon) and enhanced two-photon sensitivity relative to ultraviolet initiators. Two-photon excitable resins based on these new initiators have been developed and used to demonstrate a scheme for three-dimensional data storage which permits fluorescent and refractive read-out, and the fabrication of three-dimensional micro-optical and micromechanical structures, including photonic-bandgap-type structures.

1,833 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the area encompassing modified PFSA membranes, alternative sulfonated polymer and their composite membranes, and acid−base complex membranes is presented. But the authors do not discuss the performance of the composite membranes.
Abstract: The state-of-the-art of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology is based on perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer membranes operating at a typical temperature of 80 °C. Some of the key issues and shortcomings of the PFSA-based PEMFC technology are briefly discussed. These include water management, CO poisoning, hydrogen, reformate and methanol as fuels, cooling, and heat recovery. As a means to solve these shortcomings, high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes for operation above 100 °C are under active development. This treatise is devoted to a review of the area encompassing modified PFSA membranes, alternative sulfonated polymer and their composite membranes, and acid−base complex membranes. PFSA membranes have been modified by swelling with nonvolatile solvents and preparing composites with hydrophilic oxides and solid proton conductors. DMFC and H2/O2(air) cells based on modified PFSA membranes have been successfully operated at temperatures up to 120 °C under ambient pressure...

1,595 citations