O’Connor receives NSF CAREER award

Dr. Brendan O’Connor, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his research proposal, “Mechanical Behavior of Flexible Electronic Films.”

The NSF CAREER award is one of the most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

O’Connor’s research will focus on improving the understanding of the mechanical behavior of organic (polymeric) semiconductor films and gaining insight into the relationships between mechanical and electrical properties to develop guidelines to achieve mechanically robust flexible electronics for applications such as wearable electronics and low-cost solar energy. The research will investigate the impact of molecular structure, film microstructure and device design on performance variation and failure modes of devices under flexure, and look at the role of cyclic bending and environmental factors such as moisture on mechanical stability.

As part of the education focus of the grant, O’Connor will develop a certificate program in manufacturing and mechanics of thin film electronics to train future leaders in this emerging field. The work crosses multiple disciplines including mechanics of materials, materials processing and semiconductor device physics, providing a stimulating training environment for students.

O’Connor received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University in 2000. He received an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2004 and a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 2009. The five-year, $500,000 grant began February 15, 2016.