Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Organic electronics, also known as plastic or printable electronics, use polymer or small carbon-based molecule semiconductors, making them inherently flexible with low manufacturing costs compared to traditional silicon based semiconductors. Current technologies based on organic electronics are novel flexible phone and television displays, highly efficient lighting with negligible heat production and plastic solar cells. With the increasing demand for flexible, inexpensive technology, it is believed that the demand for organic circuitry will exceed that of silicon electronics. This research will focus on the fabrication of another growing application of plastic electronics: highly specific sensors. Wearable sensors can detect key physiological parameters, store data and deliver drugs when needed. Inexpensive toxic gas sensors can improve chemical processing and personnel safety. Highly specific sensors with ultra-fast response times will allow for on-site detection of different analytes ranging from contaminants in drinking water to performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes. Pressure-sensitive sensors can give the sense of touch to robotics as well as restoring it for burn victims. Successful implementation or improvement of any of these devices will significantly impact the lives of Canadians and the international community. However, to be able to identify novel candidate sensors, we must first investigate the respective devices in a controlled environment. The equipment proposed in this application is a state of the art environmental chamber that will facilitate the controlled characterization of novel organic gas sensors under various gaseous environments. The design, fabrication and characterization of these patentable structures will benefit the health of Canadians, the efficiencies and output of chemical plants as well as environmental monitoring. Delays in acquiring this chamber will compromise my ability to train HPQ promptly and validate the novel devices as potential sensors. This equipment is critical for the establishment of my research program as a new recruit to the Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Ottawa and as an emerging leader in this growing field of organic electronic sensor research.