The systematic design of structurally precise polymer systems is an elusive materials science goal. Here, I will describe recent efforts using dynamic bonding, supramolecular interactions, and non-covalent templation to prepare two-dimensional macromolecular sheets as single-crystals and high-quality films, both of which are ideal for property and device measurements. I will also briefly elaborate on how these insights enabled the preparation of synthetic one-dimensional nanotubes. Another approach to understanding structurally defined polymers relies on measuring single-polymer chains at the nanoscale limit. To this end, I will discuss how using a scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction technique, the unique electronic properties of open-shell radicaloids can be studied at the single-polymer limit. Throughout these discussions, I will highlight how structurally defined polymers, when combined with advanced processing and measurement strategies, yield emergent combinations of thermal, mechanical, optical, and electronic properties not available in other material platforms.
Austin Evans is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florida, where his group studies electronic and spintronic phenomena in structurally defined macromolecules. Prior to his independent position, Austin was a Schmidt Science Fellow at Columbia University, where he worked with Prof. Latha Venkataraman (Applied Physics) and Colin Nuckolls (Chemistry). Austin completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Northwestern University as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and an International Institute for Nanotechnology Ryan Fellow. There, Austin worked with Prof. William Dichtel to develop controlled polymerization methods to access high-quality two-dimensional macromolecular sheets and one-dimensional synthetic nanotubes, both of which are elusive macromolecular architectures. For his contributions to many areas of chemistry, engineering, and physics Austin has been recognized with numerous awards including the 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, ACS POLY Henkel Award, MOF2020 Early Career Award, Foresight Institute Vision Fellowship for Molecular Electronics, and the IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists. Austin is also passionate about community engagement, which has led to his multi-year work with secondary schools in New York City and Chicago, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Congress.
The systematic design of structurally precise polymer systems is an elusive materials science goal. Here, I will describe recent efforts using dynamic bonding, supramolecular interactions, and non-covalent templation to prepare two-dimensional macromolecular sheets as single-crystals and high-quality films, both of which are ideal for property and device measurements. I will also briefly elaborate on how these insights enabled the preparation of synthetic one-dimensional nanotubes. Another approach to understanding structurally defined polymers relies on measuring single-polymer chains at the nanoscale limit. To this end, I will discuss how using a scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction technique, the unique electronic properties of open-shell radicaloids can be studied at the single-polymer limit. Throughout these discussions, I will highlight how structurally defined polymers, when combined with advanced processing and measurement strategies, yield emergent combinations of thermal, mechanical, optical, and electronic properties not available in other material platforms.
Austin Evans is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florida, where his group studies electronic and spintronic phenomena in structurally defined macromolecules. Prior to his independent position, Austin was a Schmidt Science Fellow at Columbia University, where he worked with Prof. Latha Venkataraman (Applied Physics) and Colin Nuckolls (Chemistry). Austin completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Northwestern University as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and an International Institute for Nanotechnology Ryan Fellow. There, Austin worked with Prof. William Dichtel to develop controlled polymerization methods to access high-quality two-dimensional macromolecular sheets and one-dimensional synthetic nanotubes, both of which are elusive macromolecular architectures. For his contributions to many areas of chemistry, engineering, and physics Austin has been recognized with numerous awards including the 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, ACS POLY Henkel Award, MOF2020 Early Career Award, Foresight Institute Vision Fellowship for Molecular Electronics, and the IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists. Austin is also passionate about community engagement, which has led to his multi-year work with secondary schools in New York City and Chicago, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Congress.
