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1. CAREER: Development of Novel Polymer Electrolytes-Synthesis and Applications in Fuel CellsChulsung Bae, University of Nevada Las Vegas, DMR 0747667 (1) • The aims of this project are to develop a series of novel ionic polymers through unique polymer synthesis design and investigate their properties for fuel cell membrane applications. • To introduce quaternized ammonium ion group that can be used as alkaline exchange membranes to non-polar polymers such as poly(1-butene), we developed a polymer functionalization method that utilizes transition-metal catalyzed activation of alkane C-H bonds and subsequent conversions to other useful functional groups. (Figure 1) [J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem.2009, 47, 4519]. We are currently investigating these ionic polymer materials for alkaline exchange membrane fuel cell applications. • Using the polymer functionalization method based on C-H activation, we incorporated a functional group that can initiate polymerization of additional monomers (Figure 2). Controlled radical polymerization, such as ATRP, from this macroinitiator produced functional graft copolymers that are composed of hydrophobic main chains and hydrophilic side chains [J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem.2009, 47, 6655]. (2)

2. CAREER: Development of Novel Polymer Electrolytes-Synthesis and Applications in Fuel CellsChulsung Bae, University of Nevada Las Vegas, DMR 0747667 • Education • Three graduate students (Jihoon Shin, Tae Soo Jo, Hanniel Lee), a postdoc (Ying Chang), two undergraduate student (Lacie Brownell, Chohee Lee), a high school intern (Johanna Schwartz) have been partially supported by this grant. Jihoon Shin completed his Ph.D. in summer of 2009 and is continuing his career as a postdoc at University of Minnesota. • The PI group presented research accomplishments at several national and professional conferences (American Chemical Society Meeting, Gordon Research Conference, et al.). • Outreach and Participation • The PI initiated collaboration with research group at Georgia Tech for computational study of the ionic polymer membranes. • Johanna Schwartz, a local high school student, performed her chemistry project in the PI’s laboratory. Johanna later joined the PI’s lab as a high school summer intern to continue her excitement of research experience.