Understanding the impact of inter-molecular orientation on the optical proper-ties of organic semiconductors is important for designing next-generation organic (opto)electronic and photonic devices. However, fundamental aspects of how various features of molecular packing in crystalline systems determine the nature and dynamics of excitons have been a subject of debate. Toward...
Organic semiconducting materials have emerged in the last few decades as viable alternatives to inorganics in broad applications from field effect transistors to LEDs to solar cells. Organics provide many benefits over inorganics such as flexibility, sustainability, and reduced cost. However, these materials are more susceptible to degradation in the...
We explore the interactions between charge transfer exciton states (CTEs) and an optical microcavity by testing the effects that cavity resonance has on the CTEs and if CTEs can be coupled with a photon to create quasiparticles known as polaritons. Exciton polaritonics is becoming a booming area of research mainly...
We present on the optical and electronic properties of a fungi-derived pigment xylindein for potential use in (opto)electronic applications. Optical absorption spectra in solutions of various concentrations and in film are compared and are consistent with aggregate formation in concentrated solutions and films. In order to improve film morphology obtained...
Polarization-dependent absorption spectra of two functionalized derivatives of fluorinated anthradithiophene, diF TES-ADT and diF TDMS-ADT, were studied in the crystal phase using a Holstein-like Hamiltonian. For both molecules, the primary contribution to the lowest energy absorption was found to be the S-0-S-1 excitonic transition perturbed by an intermolecular coupling of...
An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an important part of a freestanding bipedal robot's state estimation system.
IMUs return translational accelerations and rotational velocities, which must be numerically integrated to obtain a robot's orientation.
This thesis documents the implementation of the IMU alignment and integration systems for the ATRIAS robot....
In the Capabilities Approach literature “capabilities” are the real freedoms individuals possess to achieve certain “functionings,” which are the doings and beings that constitute a good life. I argue that this approach requires, or at least can benefit from, an account of the psychosocial mechanisms involved in capability limitation. The...
Background: Against global health disparities and a shortfall of medical personnel, community health workers (CHWs) promise a solution based in lived experience and connection to the health system. To address global and upstream health determinants, CHW programs engage the perspectives of both the workers they employ and the communities they...
Bipedal locomotion is a complex phenomenon to understand and control, making it difficult for legged robots to achieve the speed, agility, efficiency, and robustness of their animal counterparts. This thesis argues for the use of numerical optimization to investigate and implement bipedal control as it applies to biology, dynamical models,...
We present a model for running that combines active control with passive dynamics,
in an attempt to approach the economy and robustness of animal running. Our
work is inspired by examples of guinea fowl encountering an unexpected drop in
ground surface, with little a ect on their running gait. Previous...