Science and Applications of Conducting Polymers: Papers from the Sixth European Industrial Workshop

This book contains the proceedings of the 6th Europhysics Industrial Workshop, which focused upon the science and technology of conducting polymers, held in Lofthus, Norway, during May 1990. The workshop, initiated by the European Physical Society (EPS), followed the format of previous EPS workshops in that the attendance was limited to a small number of selected scientists in order to encourage discussion in a relaxed and stimulating atmosphere. The speakers were chosen to represent industry, universities and government laboratories. Topics for presentation were chosen on the basis of providing a complete programme, but with an emphasis upon present and future technological applications. Tutorial lectures, treating the basic physics and chemistry of conjugated polymers, both undoped and doped to a state of high electrical conductivity, comprised about one-third of the presentations. Lectures aimed at more technological topics focused upon a wide array of present and future applications including non-linear optical properties and integrated optics, semiconductor devices, sensors, integrated circuit processing, aerospace applications, textiles and high-strength-fibre materials, organic batteries, molecular electronics and various applications involving both low and high frequency electromagnetic response. The workshop closed with a positive look towards the future role of conjugated polymers, especially within the materials scenario of the chemical industry.