M.S. Dissertation
Master's Thesis Titled:
"Studies of silver spheroidal particles for the improvement of OLED light extraction"
Thesis defended orally: 7/13/2012.
The general theme of this work was to investigate the factors contributing to organic light-emitting diode (OLED) visible light out-coupling efficiency limitations. Then to determine modifications to OLED devices to propose for improvement of their overall out-coupling efficiencies for display and lighting applications.
Link to University Library
https://rochester.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01ROCH_INST/1vg5sr1/alma9950146193405216
Faculty Committee Members:
Prof. of Chemical Engineering Ching W. Tang
Prof. of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Lewis J. Rothberg
Prof. of Optics Miguel A. Alonso
Prof. of Chemical Engineering Hitomi Mukaibo
Thesis Topic Executive Summary
Prof. Ching W. Tang and Prof. Lewis J. Rothberg co-advised me in carrying out out independent research on the extraction of light from the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) using analytic, theoretical, and numerical simulation approaches.
While I did fabricate OLED devices via chemical vapor deposition and measured solar cell efficiencies via fill factor methods, the primary focus of this work was to determine if and under what conditions then-newly manufacturable silver nanoparticles might be advantageous for incorporation into external scattering layers to improve out-coupling throughout the visible.
The theoretical approaches in this work employed simultaneously complex engineering calculations and the use of high-performance computing systems of large scales.
-This independent study included nanoparticle scattering mechanisms and their mathematical approximations ("Mie Theory" after Gustav Mie - circa 1908) as solutions to the key Partial Differential Equations ("PDEs") known as Maxwell's Equations (James Clerk Maxwell - 4 Equations published separately).
-Rigorous conceptualization and understanding of the solutions to these equations led our group to seek out scattering media with optimum properties (high albedo), even if the correlation of the real and imaginary dielectric constants (inputs to the solutions of Maxwell's equations) is highly non-intuitive and / or counterintuitive.
-The albedo was shown to be high (>.8 out of 1 - a.k.a. >80& of visible light is retained after interaction with the particles) throughout the visible for a broad range of particles (from 20 nm diameter to a few hundred nm diameter) for silver nanoparticles.
-Identical sizes of silver and gold particles, also of the same size as stated in the numerical PDE calculations, were simulated with Lumerical FDTD.
-Extensive experience in the consideration of result-effective variables for the optimization of commercial opto-electronic and solar cell / panel manufactured products.
-Designed and executed studies varying particle size, shape, and concentration within a specific OLED sub-layer (indium tin oxide / ITO) to determine estimates of out-coupling efficiency changes for a planar OLED with and without incorporation of scattering nanoparticles.
-Proven track record of developing data-driven models, automating workflows, and optimizing technology performance (OLED devices, molecular simulations, patent analytics).
-Strong communicator and collaborative leader skilled at bridging domain expertise and data science to accelerate innovation.
Technical Summary
-Engineering skills developed and articulated: advanced chemistry, physics, analytical and numerical techniques.
-Specialized scientific simulation and engineering computational tools learned, utiliized & applied: GROMACS & meep.
-General computer programming skills acquired: Linux / Fedora / Ubuntu, bash, python, Perl, FORTRAN, .
-Specialized expertise mathematical partial differential equation solver software with Wolfram Mathematica.