Norbornene-dicarboximides (NDIs) are a class of strained cyclic alkene that can be easily furnished with a range of active pendant groups. Facile polymerization can be initiated by using commercially available Grubbs Catalysts via a living polymerization mechanism. The resulting poly(norbornene-dicarboximides) poly(NDI)s have demonstrated high glass transition and high thermal decomposition temperatures enabling them to be utilized as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials when coupled with suitable dipolar conjugated chromophores. Such polymers are excellent candidates for the replacement of currently utilized inorganic NLO materials in cutting edge applications such as waveguides, modulators and ring resonators.

○ The Design, Preparation and Characterization of Strained Cyclic Dienes for Living Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP).

○ High Hyperpolarizability Dipolar Conjugated Chromophore Synthesis, Purification and Characterization

○ The Development of Novel High Thermal Stability and High Temporal Stability Electro-optic Polymers and their Applications

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