Mark D. R. Weber
Advisors: Prof. Natalie Stingelin & Antonio Facchetti

will defend a doctoral thesis entitled,

A Close Look at the Phase Behavior of Polymer Semiconductors
Using Fast Calorimetry

On

Monday, September 8th at 10 a.m.
EBB Room 5029

Abstract
Conjugated polymers are a promising class of semiconductor materials due to their tunability, mechanical flexibility, and other advantageous properties. While these materials have seen notable success in applications like photovoltaics, much of the progress has relied on the diversity of available organic chemistries rather than a clear understanding of structure-property relationships. Innovations often come from entirely new chemical structures, making it more challenging to develop a systematic understanding of how molecular features influence material performance. This work aims to establish new structure-property relationships for conjugated polymer semiconductors. By employing advanced characterization techniques, including fast scanning calorimetry, it investigates how variations in backbone rigidity and sidechain architecture affect phase behavior and morphology. The studies span a range of polymer systems, from common commodity materials to novel structures with enhanced rigidity and planarity. The insights gained contribute to a deeper understanding of how molecular design governs the physical properties and performance of polymer semiconductors, offering guidance for future material development.

Committee:
Prof. Natalie Stingelin – MSE/ChBE (advisor)
Prof. Antonio Facchetti – MSE (advisor)
Prof. Carlos Silva – Phys., University of Montreal
Prof. Will Gutekunst – Chem
Prof. Scott Danielson – MSE