Thames-Rawlins Research Group Current Graduate Students

Brandon Achord
Brandon Achord’s research is focused on the synthesize block copolymers for photovoltaic materials.  Synthesis and characterization are combined to study how self-assembled block copolymer morphology in acceptor and donor phases alter cell efficiencies.  The research encompasses both the synthetic side as well as characterization of the self-assemblies created by various deposition techniques and structure-property changes.

James Whittemore
James Whittemore’s research is focused on organic photovoltaic devices via highly controlled nano-architecture (plastic solar cells).  Organic photovoltaic devices have the potential to be highly competitive with their inorganic counterparts by offering ease of processing, use of inexpensive and non-toxic materials, lightness, and flexibility.  However, organic photovoltaic cells have very low power conversion efficiencies commonly attributed to very short exciton diffusion lengths and reduced charge transport in organic cells versus silicon or other specialty inorganic materials.  Combining nanoparticles and electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly facilitates two and three-dimensional nanoscale control, and potentially matching the morphology with the required exciton diffusion length resulting in increased charge transport and higher cell efficiencies.


5.27.2008: James Whittemore Recognized for Business Venture

Pirro Cipi
B.S., Microbiology, 2005, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS.  Doctoral student in Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi with an emphasis in technology commercialization.  Pirro’s research interests are rooted in developing and characterizing polymer bioconjugates for applications in many emerging areas of materials science.  These novel classes of macromolecules exploit inherent characteristics of biological entities such as nucleic acids, oligopeptides, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, or cells to create materials with unique properties.  

Pirro’s graduate research is the investigation of the activity and characteristics of self-synthesizing thin films.  Unique catalytic properties are supplied via active enzymes.  Pirro is currently focused on embedding enzymes in polymeric materials and studying the impact of the physical and chemical nature of the films on enzyme-catalyzed reactions in solid films.

Jeremy Swanson
B.S., Chemistry, 2004, St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI.  Doctoral student in Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi and National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow, 2005-2007.  Jeremy’s research interests lie in the area of structural polymers and composites, with specific focus on aerospace and biomedical applications.

Jeremy’s graduate research relates to self-healing material characterization and synthesis.  Chemistry is embracing the ‘green’ movement with a variety of more environmentally responsible processes and applications.  Biodegradable materials, especially those from renewable resources, have garnered a majority of the attention in recent years.  These materials inherently degrade, but also possess the ability to ‘heal’.  Self-healing polymers with inherent pathways to reconstruct their molecular level architecture at rates comparable to degradation allows for dramatic elongation of structure-property lifetimes.  Molecular level understanding of degradation pathways and subsequent recombination to reform the exact or similar structures is the future of polymeric materials.  Research incorporates the development of functional coatings with both controlled degradation pathways via a variety of stimuli as well as opposing recombination mechanisms with competitive reaction rates.