TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS 3:05 – 3:25
A GENERAL APPROACH TO MULTICOMPONENT DISTILLATION COLUMN DESIGN T.J. Afolabi1 and A. O. Denloye2* 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria 2Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba. Lagos, Nigeria 1Corresponding author; kdenloye@yahoo.com
Abstract The application of the developed VLE analytical correlations to computer aided multicomponent distillation designs showed that it is not enough that a property model (VLE) predicts well, the model must also have continuous first order derivative to be useful in computer aided design. A general procedure therefore has been developed that can be used for complex systems such petroleum mixtures by modifying the “ θ‐method” of convergence to handle situation in which discontinuity can be encountered. SELF‐ASSEMBLED POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC 3:25 – 3:45 APPLICATIONS Dahlia Haynes*, Courtney Balliet, Tomask Young, Richard McCullough Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213 Abstract There are many polymers that exhibit supramolecular properties i.e. show binding affinity and selectivity towards anions, exhibit charge transport, and have significant electrical and optical properties, One of the most versatile of this family are Polythiophenes, which are well studied structures which have been utilized in a variety of applications due to their unique properties. There is considerable precedence towards the design of functional polythiophenes and their utility in variety of applications such as field effect transistors, light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, biomedical and optical sensing systems. The ability to control self‐assembly in nano‐structured materials plays a prevalent role towards the development of highly optimal electronic devices. As such, the self‐ assembled components can strongly affect the internal processes associated with energy transfer and conversion in polymeric devices and scaffolds. For instance, nanoscale self‐assembly of poly(3‐ alkylthiophenes) have been thoroughly investigated towards the optimization of charge carrier mobility and conductivity. One strategic technique has been the incorporation of other polymers via copolymerization and/or organic syntheses to induce various idealized morphologies via self assembled copolymer templates towards the design of efficient and high‐performance electronic devices. Herein, I demonstrate the use of copolymerization procedures to influence the degree and design of self‐assembled poly‐3‐alkylthiophenes by the addition of “soft” biodegradable segments and flexible elastomeric units. Block copolymers consisting of various units will be discussed in terms of their structure‐property relationships with distinct focus on the influence on self‐assembly and electronic properties of P3HTs with emphasis in photovoltaic applications. Break 3:45 – 3:55 47