Tim Kowalczyk

Professor, Department of Chemistry, AMSEC, Institute for Energy Studies

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    About

    Our research focuses primarily on organic materials that combine light-absorbing and electrically conducting components in a single package. We develop and apply computational strategies rooted in quantum mechanics to understand the self-assembly and electronic properties of these materials. We are also interested in predictive models of photostability: how long will an organic dye integrated into a device operate before it is photodamaged? We are developing a simulation framework based on density functional tight binding which will allow us to identify and control key degradation pathways.

    Contact Information

    Chemistry Building 241
    Western Washington University
    Bellingham, WA

    360-650-6622 (office)

    Related documents

    Education/Academic qualification

    JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Nagoya University

    … → 2014

    Department of Physical Chemistry, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    … → 2012

    Department of Chemistry, B.S., University of Southern California

    … → 2007

    Research Interests

    • Photophysics of organic materials mediated by intermolecular interactions
    • Modulation of charge transfer state lifetimes by encapsulation
    • Efficient computational tools for simulating electronic excitations and photostability
    • Photochemistry and singlet oxygen sensitization of photodynamic therapy agents
    • Balanced ground and excited state characterization of solar thermal fuels

    Disciplines

    • Materials Science and Engineering
    • Physical Chemistry
    • Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
    • Materials Chemistry