Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $360,156 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Materials Research under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), effective September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. The award funds the development and application of advanced experimental methodologies—specifically Variable Energy Ultraviolet Photoemission Spectroscopy and Gas Cluster Ion Beam Etching—to directly measure and characterize electronic defect states (trap states) in organic semiconductors. The primary deliverables include enhanced measurement techniques capable of quantifying the energy, density, and spatial distribution of defect states in organic semiconductor materials, along with systematic research findings on how molecular structure influences trap states and material degradation. These outputs support improved performance and longevity of organic semiconductor-based devices used in flexible displays, healthcare sensors, and energy conversion applications.

The award also includes workforce development and STEM outreach components. Project participants will train undergraduate and graduate students in advanced spectroscopy and materials characterization techniques, while hosting workshops to promote STEM engagement among high school students. The research is conducted at the University of Kentucky's Lexington, Kentucky facility, where the institution executes the project as a tax-exempt nonprofit research subsidiary operating as a prime recipient of federal research funding.