12th International Symposium on Functional p-Electron Systems

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: In July 2015, the University of Washington will be hosting the 12th International Symposium on Functional pi-Electron Systems. This is an international meeting that is held every two years and focuses on the latest developments in the area of organic semiconducting materials. Organic semiconducting materials are an exciting class of materials with applications in the area of flexible electronic devices with the potential of being embedded into textiles or used in tactile sensors or electronic skin. They are already being used as the active material in a number of commercially available electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in cellphone displays. More recently, much effort has been put forth towards developing organic semiconducting materials for use in flexible organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Flexible OPVs represent a unique opportunity in renewable energy where organic semiconducting materials can afford high power-generation-to-weight ratios that will simultaneously reduce the module, installation, and transportation costs associated with these devices. Furthermore, there is increasing interest in the area of bioelectronics to enable electronic devices that can directly communicate with our bodies. There are three primary goals for this conference: (i) Provide a forum where scientists who work in this area of research can share their latest results with each other to accelerate mutual knowledge, progress in the field, and international collaborations; (ii) To make sure that the US remains a leader in the area of organic semiconducting materials by hosting this conference that has not been held in the US in six years, and in this way also to enable US students and other attendees to obtain the latest knowledge in this field; (iii) To increase diversity of the scientists who work in this area of research, and enhance participation of women and underrepresented minorities and their inclusion among invited speakers in the conference.