The goal of the proposed exploratory research is to investigate novel polymeric nanoscale pulsed power capacitor flexible thin films based on the self-assembly of block copolymers. The flexible pulsed power capacitor system would exhibit a lamellar or cylindrical microphase separation, with electrode, and polymeric electrolyte as the A and B blocks. The A block (redox cobalt oxide or p-doped conductive polymer) forms the high surface area electrode material, and the B block (sulfonated polynorbornene or sulfonated polystyrene) is the electrolyte. Casting of the synthesized block copolymer from a solvent results in a self-assembled A/B nanostructure, which is equivalent to many nanoscale capacitor cells in parallel, thus providing the maximum possible power. A variety of microstructure and electrical properties characterization tools will be employed to evaluate the flexible pulsed power capacitor system's performance. The broader impacts of the proposed exploratory research relate to a block copolymer nanoscale capacitor device system which would be flexible because it is made out of a polymer, and transparent to visible light due to the nanoscale dimensions of its morphology. The ease of processing a polymer electrolyte would allow the production of thin film nanoscale self-assembled flexible pulsed power capacitors that could be wound into coils or processed as coatings and sheets. A pulsed power capacitor based on the nanoscale self-assembly of block copolymers will provide devices with integrated electronics, yet distributed over a large area substrate as freestanding flexible films or coatings. The active circuit components would be directly integrated on the flexible substrate. Such supercapacitor system could be applied in power conditioning for directed energy weapon components. The proposed nanoscale pulsed power capacitor system thus promises to open new avenues for autonomous power of the all electric ships or airplanes and thus helping enhance homeland security capabilities. The education activities to be undertaken in this work include undergraduate and graduate teaching, middle school teacher training, graduate student advising, and various opportunities in undergraduate research involvement and mentoring.
