(3r) Directing Molecular Assembly At Interfaces for Pharmaceutical, Electronic and Energy Applications
AIChE Annual Meeting
2012
2012 AIChE Annual Meeting
Education Division
Meet the Faculty Candidate Poster Session
Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Molecular self-assembly processes, such as nucleation, crystal growth, aggregation, nano-/micro- phase separation, have a profound impact on the solid-state properties of materials. For instances, difference in crystal packing (polymorphism) influences bioavailability, stability and processibility of pharmaceutical compounds; morphology, molecular packing and orientation of organic semiconductors are critical in determining their charge transport characteristics; controlling the nanoscopic phase separation is key to achieving high-efficiency organic solar cells.
In most practical circumstances, these molecular assembly events occur at interfaces, especially solid-liquid interfaces during solution processing. By engineering the nano-topology, microstructure and chemical patterns of surfaces and interfaces, my research has established new methodologies and demonstrated unprecedented control over nucleation kinetics, polymorphism and crystal morphology. Furthermore, I investigated the role of nanoconfinement on nucleation and employed it as a powerful tool for directing the crystal packing of organic crystals at interfaces. With the new physical insight obtained and the novel approaches developed, I aspire to carry this research further towards 1) developing new technology platforms for fabricating next-generation pharmaceutical and energy materials, 2) deciphering the mechanism of molecular assembly processes at interfaces.
For further information, please visit my website at http://www.stanford.edu/~diao
See more of this Group/Topical: Education Division