The goal of our research is to prepare and characterize new materials with unusual forms of π-electron conjugation. This research is inherently synthetic in nature, but we also devote great effort to understanding the fundamental physical organic chemistry that underlies our materials targets, be they molecular or polymeric in nature. After we determine key electronic/photonic/electrical properties of our materials, we use this information to guide our search for prospective applications through collaboration with research teams at JHU and elsewhere. We are currently working on a variety of end-goals ranging from the development of amorphous organic semiconductors and porous electronic materials to the creation of new optoelectronic biomaterials for cell and tissue engineering.