4429 research outputs found
Sort by
Green Synthesis of Sustainable Solar Cell Materials
No full textAs world energy consumption continues to grow, so does the priority to develop sustainable energy sources, such as solar energy, the most abundant of these sources. Large scale production of solar cell materials demands the use of more sustainable starting materials and greener methods to assemble light-harvesting devices. Our project aims to design new solar cell materials using greener chemical reaction conditions, with the ultimate goal of implementing our materials in organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs). Commercially available solar cell materials, while engineered to efficiently harvest solar energy, involve wasteful and expensive processes. In contrast, our focus is to develop greener methods for production of materials to employ in OPVs. Beginning with the first step of a 3-step method to assemble our target polymer for use in an OPV cell, we compared the same reaction using solution, mechanochemical, and microwave methods. Mechanochemistry initiates chemical reactions by use of mechanical force in the absence of a solvent as opposed to traditional solution methods that use a wasteful or toxic solvent. Microwave chemistry involves controlled, rapid, uniform heating and can reduce reaction times dramatically. The products of the first reaction step, a Knoevenagel condensation, synthesized by each of the three methods, were identified using structural techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography. Comparison of the reaction products obtained using these three methods shows that the greener mechanochemical and microwave conditions resulted in similar or higher yields, shorter reaction times, and allowed for replacement of a toxic base with a more benign base. Our results indicate that greener approaches to synthesizing solar energy materials are possible. Our next step will be to investigate applying greener approaches for the additional steps needed to reach our target polymer. Greener approaches can help significantly minimize environmental impacts and decrease costs associated with assembling OPV materials
Semi-sustainable monomers for organic photovoltaic donor polymers
No full textAs fossil fuels remain the major source of energy worldwide, the related emissions are one of the largest contributors to climate change. Consequently, the demand for increased use of solar energy as a clean andunlimited energy source is a priority. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials are attractive as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to silicon solar cells. The objective of this work was to synthesize conjugated polymers with favorable optical and physical properties for use as solar cell materials. Monomer building blocks with electron rich indole and furan/thiophene planar functional groups were studied for ultimate incorporation in donor polymers for OPV cells. The furan functional group was obtained from the sustainable reactant furfural, a material sourced from corn byproducts. We successfully synthesized monomers using a two-step scheme involving Knoevenagel condensation and alkylation reactions. The products were purified by column chromatography and characterized by ESI-MS, X-ray crystallography, and NMR spectroscopy. Isolating these monomers was complicated by their unexpected ability to isomerize in solution at room temperature. Monomer isomers will likely lead to nonlinear polymers with poorer solar absorption efficiency and lower molecular weights. Currently, work in our group is underway to synthesize related structurally rigid monomers that prevent interconversion between isomers to address these difficulties. The resulting rigid, planar polymers will ultimately possess improved properties to construct efficient OPV devices for solar energy production
Discourse Analysis in Integrated STEM activities: Methods for examining power and positioning in small group interactions
No full text
Student Emotional Intelligence and Fieldwork Success: Current Evidence, Practical Implications and Student Trends in Occupational Therapy Education
No full textStudent Emotional Intelligence and Fieldwork Success: Current Evidence, Practical Implications, and Student Trends in Occupational Therapy Education
No full textThe correlation of emotional intelligence and success for OT and OTA students during Fieldwork II has been minimally explored, but has been shown to be positively associated. To begin to better understand this relationship, which includes cultural humility and adaptability, this preliminary literature review on current research is designed to lay a framework for further studies. The purpose of this presentation is to explore current literature on emotional intelligence and fieldwork success for students across all three degree levels. The presentation will analyze recent AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluations (FWPE) to understand themes related to successes and challenges during Fieldwork, focusing on components of emotional intelligence to begin to further understand the correlation. The presentation will provide practical application for OT education for faculty and fieldwork educators and academic fieldwork coordinators. It will also highlight areas of further research needed in this area as we begin to develop curriculum and learning activities to develop emotional and cultural intelligence that addresses the unique facets of OT education
Employment-Student to Practitioner
No full textMany job openings generate dozens of candidates seeking employement. New practitioners need to be aware of how to navigate this process and things they can do to open doors for consideration. Topics for discussion include writing cover letters and resumes that get read, interviewing - actions to take and pitfalls to avoid, tips for networking and identifying mentors and using social media to your advantage, not disadvantage
Occupational Therapy in Community Mental Health: Models and Opportunities
No full textInvited Presenter to the New York State Occupational Therapy Association Executive Board and associated partners in mental health
