Advanced Functional π-Conjugated Materials for Organic Electronics and Photonics
This broad program involves design and syntheses of novel series of π-conjugated molecular materials; investigations of various technologically useful functional properties including luminescence properties, multiphoton absoprtion properties, photovoltaic effects, carrier mobility, lasing properties and recognition/sensing properties; as well as fabrication and characterization of devices i.e. solar cell and OFETs using newly developed materials.
From Supramolecular Recognition to Biological and Biomedical Applications
This research direction involves design, synthesis and characterization of novel multifunctional molecules or assemblies that can detect, recognize or sense a biologically important molecule/substance/event through supramolecular recognition in which the high specificity and strong binding affinity of the guest-host concept is imposed. Our aspiration comes from the aim that functions and processes of the living biological systems can ultimately be mimicked. Being able to predict and control the supramolecular architecture or assembly is essential to optimizing various functional properties such as sensing, molecular transport, catalysts, information storage, and templates or cavities for chemical transformations. Design of complementary structural components that can self-assemble into supramolecular nano-structures or can show recognition properties requires building in a relatively strong adhesive forces such as hydrogen bonding, the ionic interactions and/or pi-pi stacking interactions. We are particularly interested in exploring various bio-related functions and properties that arise from recognition and self-assembly of the supramolecular nano-structures or aggregates.