TAGS: Medical Automotive
Researchers from University of Southern Mississippi polymer science have developed fluorescent solids, thus creating the brightest known materials in existence. Research group’s expertise in handling fluorescent molecules in polymers opened the door for the collaborative research.
Professor Yoan Simon from University of Southern Mississippi teamed with Drs. Amar Flood and Krishnan Raghavachari, professors of chemistry at Indiana University and Dr. Bo Wegge Laursen, professor of chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, on the transformative project. USM graduate student Brad Davis assisted in the research at Simon’s lab in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering.
Overcoming Self-quenching Phenomena
The discovery could have potential applications in everything from solar energy to medical diagnostics and lasers, to perhaps even autonomous cars. While there are more than 100,000 fluorescent dyes that glow when presented in a liquid form, maintaining the brightness of the colors is much trickier in solids.
The most commercial fluorescent materials suffer from a phenomenon known as self-quenching, which causes them to lose their properties at high loading, thereby limiting their incorporation into materials.
For fluorescent materials to work, they need to be far enough apart, basically ‘socially distanced’ but these materials have the natural tendency to aggregate.
Universal Physical Divider
The team developed a universal molecule that allows them to be spaced out, essentially acting like a physical divider. Ultimately, this paves the way for the fabrication of polymeric materials with really high chromophore concentration and extreme brightness.
“In some respect, we were the missing piece of the puzzle. Our collaborators had already developed the beautiful chemistry but needed someone who could transfer it broadly into materials. That is where our team came into play,” said Simon.
“I think this shows the ability of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering to shine, pun intended,” Simon said. “I feel honored that a team of world experts in supramolecular chemistry turned to Southern Miss when it comes to incorporating their findings into polymers.”
Source: University of Southern Mississippi