Jennifer Pagan

Scalable synthetic muscle actuator

We will discuss our work to build, characterize, and scale- up a metallized plastic muscle-like actuator called a Spiral Wound Transducer (SWT). Prototype SWTs have been built using microelectronics fabrication methods. The prototypes have demonstrated large amplitude motion and analog response. The prototypes, though small, have demonstrated forces equivalent to 12 grams for compressions of more than 15 percent at 30 Hz. The size of the SWTs is essentially unrestricted. Our work with commercially available metallized Mylar films to produce much larger, more powerful, and lower cost SWT devices will also be discussed.

Luminescent Properties of CdSe Quantum Dots Subjected to MBE GaN Growth Temperatures

Semiconductor quantum dots have received an enormous amount of attention due to their luminescent properties over a broad range of optical wavelengths that makes them attractive for integration into the next generation of lighting and display devices. Also, their ability to absorb a broad range of wavelengths makes them useful for solar cell applications. Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots are of interest due to their intense luminescence in the middle of the visible spectrum where it has been difficult to achieve efficient semiconductor light sources.