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David S. Germack, Ph.D.

Research Interests
Strategies to investigate and control phase-segregation of nanoparticles in polymer matrices as applied to organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and organic field effect transistors (OFET). Application of neutron reflectivity, x-ray reflectivity, variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, x-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to interrogate nanoparticle-polymer composite thin-film morphology, vertical composition gradients and chemical/ morphological changes due to physical aging in OPV devices. Synthesis of functional polymers by living/controlled methods (RAFT, ATRP, NMRP, ROMP and GRIM); synthesis of functional multi-block copolymers; supramolecular assembly of macromolecules; modification of surfaces by preparation of self-assembled monolayers and graft polymerization; and dimensional and compositional control of functional micro- and nanoscale patterned surfaces.

 

Selected Non-NIST publications
Germack, D. S.; Wooley, K. L. “RAFT-based synthesis and characterization of ABC vs. ACB triblock copolymers containing tert-butyl acrylate, isoprene and styrene blocks” Macromol. Chemistry and Physics 2007, 208, 2481-2491.

Germack, D. S.; Harrisson, S.; Brown, G. B.; Wooley, K. L. “Influence of the structure of nanoscopic building blocks on the assembly of micropatterned surfaces” J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem., 2006, 44, 5218-5228.

von Werne, T. A.; Germack, D. S.; Hagberg, E. C.; Sheares, V. V. ;Hawker, C. J.; Carter, K. R. “A versatile method for tuning the chemistry and size of nanoscopic features by living free radical polymerization”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 3831-3838.

 

Selected Oral Presentations
“Vertical Composition Gradients in Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells”, 235th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, August 21, 2008.

 

Professional Affiliations

  • American Chemical Society
  • Division of Polymer Chemistry of the ACS, Assistant Secretary (2009-Present)
  • Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering of the ACS

 

Awards and Honors

  • MSEL Work-Life Diversity Award (2009)
  • NIST-National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007-Present)
Selected Publications

Position:

Research Chemist
Polymers Division
Electronics Materials Group

Employment History:

2007 to present: NRC Postdoctoral Fellow, Polymers Division, NIST

2002-2007: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis under the direction of Prof. Karen L. Wooley.

2001-2002: Research Associate, Center for Polymeric Interfaces and Macromolecuar Assemblies under the direction of Drs. Craig J. Hawker and Kenneth R. Carter, IBM Almaden Research Center

2000-2001: Senior Field Chemist, Ensco Inc.

1999-2000: Chemical Technician, Primex Aerospace Corp.

1997-1999: Research Chemist, Bullhide Liner Corp.

Education:

Ph.D. Washington University in Saint Louis, Department of Chemistry, 2007. Dissertation: Synthesis of polyisoprene and polyisoprene-containing amphiphilic block copolymers via RAFT for the preparation of nanoparticles with regioselective functional domains. Advisor: Karen L. Wooley

M.A. Washington University in Saint Louis, Department of Chemistry, 2004.

B.S. Western Washington University, Department of Chemistry, 1997 with ACS Certification for Professional Employment.

Contact

Phone: 301-975-4441
Email: dgermack@nist.gov
Fax: 301-975-3928