“Understanding Nanocrystal Growth with Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy”, Assoc. Prof. Cathy Wong, Chemistry
Lighting accounts for 8% of electricity consumption in America, with even more energy consumed by televisions, computer monitors, and phone screens. Developing efficient, affordable light-emitting materials is of great importance as demand grows in America and abroad. For example, a 50% increase in energy consumption is expected in Africa by 2040. We aim to understand the growth of perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) that are efficient, affordable light-emitters. We use transient absorption spectroscopy to measure excited state dynamics of the NCs in situ, during synthesis, to understand how their properties emerge.
Our REU student will learn to synthesize NCs and perform in situ absorption, fluorescence, and timeresolved laser spectroscopy measurements. The student will work closely with a graduate student to synthesize NCs and measure the changing excited state dynamics. The student will also learn aspects of team science, since these time-sensitive measurements require a concerted team effort to execute.