GRK 2591:  Template-designed organic electronics (TIDE)

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research ; Physical Chemistry
• Term: since 2021
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 418939742

The graduate program "Template-Designed Organic Electronics" (TIDE) aims to provide comprehensive doctoral training in the field of Organic Electronics (OE) to meet the market demands for highly qualified and multidisciplinary professionals. Worldwide, OE has already revolutionized the electronics industry (e.g., OLEDs), but technological progress has predominantly originated from empirical research and development, while fundamental principles are often not fully understood. To address the breadth of the research topic, five synergistic focal areas have been established. In focus area A, "Synthesis," π-conjugated molecular building blocks are synthesized. In focus area B, "Templating*, surface-active templates are produced, onto which building blocks are deposited. In focus area C, "Characterization," the templated molecular layers will be investigated using various spectroscopies depending on the layer thickness. In focus area D, "Implementation," the templated layers will be evaluated for their suitability in optoelectronic components. Finally, focus area E “Modeling” involves the theoretical modeling of the templating process. The central question of the TIDE-program is how structural order influences the optoelectronic properties of π-conjugated materials and how these can be improved to enhance components. A team of internationally recognized scientists provides the participating doctoral candidates with a unique research environment featuring exciting projects, including opportunities for research stays abroad. The qualification program is designed to form a cohort. The subjects of chemistry and physics will be deepened and supplemented with materials science. A key element is the collaborative lecture series by all experts in the TIDE network, as well as the certified Bench-to-Business (B2B) program, which imparts basic business knowledge and facilitates the transition between fundamental research at the university and applied research in later careers. Another module focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The qualification program is rounded off with the imparting of additional professional skills, allowing doctoral candidates to choose individual courses from the extensive offerings of the graduate centers at partner universities. Our multidisciplinary approach in both the research and training program will produce doctoral candidates who have not only acquired expert knowledge in their respective research topics but also in adjacent disciplines and business aspects. Our graduates are thus well-prepared to tackle future challenges in the OE industry or in similar materials science fields.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Co-Applicant Institution: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Klaus Meerholz
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Thomas Bredow; Professor Dr. Malte Gather; Professor Dr. Stefan Grimme; Dr. Andreas Hansen; Professor Dr. Sigurd Höger; Professorin Dr. Stephanie Kath-Schorr; Professorin Dr. Annika Kurzmann; Professor Dr. Klas Lindfors; Professor Dr. Paul H. M. van Loosdrecht; Professor Dr. Arne Lützen; Professorin Dr. Selina Olthof; Professor Dr. Moritz Sokolowski