Poler Research Group

The PRG’s latest work is now published online (print and page numbers for full reference to follow). “Aggregation kinetics of single-walled carbon nanotubes investigated using mechanically wrapped multinuclear complexes: probing the tube–tube repulsive barrier”, Anjail A. Ameen,  Andrea N. Giordano, Jeffrey R. Alston,  Michael W. Forney,  Natalie P. Herring, Shiho Kobayashi,  Shawn G. Ridlen, Sarah S. Subaran, Thomas J. Younts and   J. C. Poler*, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, Advance Article DOI:10.1039/C3CP55530E Received 31 Dec 2013, Accepted 02 Feb 2014.  First published online 18 Feb 2014.
Six years of work and analysis, great team effort!

Congratulations to Dr. Mike Forney on his recent Nano Letters publication “Prelithiation of Silicon–Carbon Nanotube Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries by Stabilized Lithium Metal Powder (SLMP)” http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl401776d . If someone is going to generate electric energy then someone is going to have to store it. Batteries and capacitors will soon be an essential component in our economy and our lives.

The PRG’s first Ph.D. student, Harsh Chaturvedi, has graduated his first MS student (Dr. Poler’s academic grandson).  The students MS Thesis has been published as a book
“Optical effects in functionalized Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes”

Scholar’s Press (2013-07-09)
Functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have potential application in fabrication of novel electro-optical devices and sensors. SWNTs are mostly studied as dispersed colloidal solution in non-aqueous solvents. These kinetically stable dispersion help us to understand inter-molecular interactions, their solubility and rate of aggregation. In this present work we determine the stability of SWNTs dispersion in the presence of inorganic and ruthenium based optically active coagulants. The stability is discussed using classical DLVO theory, conventionally used to understand colloidal solutions. These long range molecular forces in solution drives individual building blocks into supramolecular assemblies.Moreover novel phenomena of photon enhanced aggregation in these functionalized SWNT are discussed. We believe that the nanotube quenches charge from the ligand after the complex has been optically excited.Photon induced effects on the charge transport are signifying “Optical gating” is shown in these fabricated SWNT field effect transistors.

Maurice Hord, Andy Nguyen, and Mohamed Saeed were recognized with an honorable mention for the poster presentation “Photon Enhanced Aggregation” at the 2013 UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference.  Congratulations guys!

Dylan Brokaw won 1st place in chemsitry for his oral presentation “High throughput microwave synthesis and characterization of NiO nanoplates for supercapacitor devices” at the 2013 UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference.  He was also recognized with an honorable mention for the prestigious best conference paper “Atkins Award”.  Congratulations Dylan!

Dylan Brokaw won the Outstanding Presentation award for the undergraduate Materials symposium at the 2012 SERMACS in Raleigh last week.  Way to represent!  Apparently going belt-less is an advantage.  Congratulations Dylan and great job to everyone in the PRG who contributed to presentations at the SERMACS.

Zak Ayesh just joined the PRG this week.  He is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major at UNC Charlotte.  Please welcome him to the lab.

Omar Glover has joined the PRG this semester.  Omar is a second degree seeker from Chapel hill.  He will start by learning the ITC methods.  Welcome to the group Omar!

Congratulations to Shawn on earning his Masters of Science in Chemistry at UNC Charlotte.  Shawn has moved to Texas and is pursuing his Ph.D. at UT Arlington.  Make us proud Shawn!