Klavs F. Jensen
Current Research

Our research focuses on understanding and controlling the interaction of transport and reaction processes in the realization and testing of functional micro- and nano-structured materials and devices for chemical, optical, and electronic applications.

In collaboration with Professor Martin A Schmidt (http://www-mtl.mit.edu/mtlhome/), we are exploring a wide range of microfabricated systems for chemical and biological applications with particular emphasis on systems for which microfabrication provides unique process advantages. Microfabrication enables several improvements, including increased mass and heat transfer, new reaction pathways, economical and environmentally benign chemical manufacturing, and integration of chemical reactions with sensors and actuators. The packaging of multiple reactors presents additional significant challenges in fluid handling, reaction monitoring, and control. The ability to integrate sensors and actuators with control of the local fluid environment is explored in cellular analytic and bioprocessing applications.

We are using physically based, detailed simulations of reactive systems, specifically simulation across multiple length and time scales, to complement experimental studies and gain new insight into the underlying basic physical and chemical rate processes. Systems considered include microfluidic for chemical and biological applications and thin film processes (chemical vapor deposition and electroplating) for electronic and optical applications. Linking macroscopic phenomena (e.g., reactor flow and temperature distribution) to microscopic characteristics (e.g., film morphology) is of particular interest. Finite element and Monte Carlo methods are among the numerical methods used in this effort. Computational chemistry techniques are being used in the estimation of thermochemical data and reaction rates.

We are also engaged in synthesis and characterization of novel materials, including electroluminescent polymers and functional polymer coatings by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Novel quantum dot composite materials, consisting of semiconductor clusters imbedded in a host material, are being synthesized in collaboration with Professor Bawendi (http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/nanocluster). The relationship between materials performance and the underlying transport and chemical rate processes is of primary interest in these studies.

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