dr jacek jasieniak

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2011 Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar

“Imagine your wallpaper acting like an efficient light or your TV being made from millions of individual lasers. This is how printed lighting and lasers will revolutionize our everyday life.”

Dr Jacek Jasieniak, a post-doctoral fellow at the CSIRO has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to go to the University of California Santa Barbara for 12 months. Jacek’s research will seek to expand a current project he is involved with, which is developing laser technology in new ways.

“In the future it is possible that we will develop very tiny lasers that could be used in a myriad of ways,” Jacek said.

“For instance, the development of printable and electrically operated lighting and lasers will revolutionize the way our houses, streets and cars will look, how we will detect explosives and pathogens in water, and even what types of computers we will use,” Jacek said.

Jacek’s work will progress technology necessary to meet this dream.

“We need to further improve on materials which can efficiently transport electricity, and also establish the best device structures to accomplish the most efficient light emitting process,” Jacek said.

In this project, Jacek will combine his experience of synthesizing efficient charge transport layers, with the fabrication capabilities of complex device architectures offered by Professor Alan Heeger at UC, Santa Barbara.

“Through this synergy, efficient, electrically operated light emitting devices will be developed,” Jacek said.

Jacek has a BSC in chemistry from Flinders University and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Melbourne. He was awarded the University Medal by Flinders University and the Chancellor’s Prize for best PhD thesis within Science and Engineering at the University of Melbourne.

His interests include understanding the transition of the electronic and physical properties of semiconductors as they change from the atomic to the bulk states of matter, as well as developing technologies useful in future electronics that are based on organic and inorganic amorphous and nanocrystalline materials. Jacek’s research discoveries will contribute to CSIRO’s efforts to develop new kinds of flexible solar cells and lighting systems through their Future Manufacturing National Research Flagship.

The prestigious Fulbright program is the largest educational scholarship of its kind, created by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright and the U.S. Government in 1946. Aimed at promoting mutual understanding through educational exchange, it operates between the U.S. and 155 countries. In Australia, the scholarships are funded by the Australian and U.S. Governments and corporate partners and administered by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission in Canberra.

Jacek is one of 26 talented Australians to be recognised as a Fulbright Scholar in 2011. Applications for Fulbright Scholarships in 2012 open on 1 June, visit www.fulbright.com.au

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