Megan Davis

I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Mechanical Engineering, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering. I’m especially interested in the material science perspective in enabling sustainable technologies, and I’m passionate about applying engineering solutions to real-world challenges in clean energy and environmental impact.

My academic journey has been shaped by hands-on engineering projects and research on polymer materials and energy systems. One of the highlights of my undergraduate experience has been designing and manufacturing a gravity battery, a project that brought together mechanical design, prototyping, and systems thinking to explore accessible, low-cost energy storage. In addition, I’ve conducted research on polymer characterization for use in organic solar cells, presenting findings on how solvent choice influences aggregation behavior and performance in photovoltaic applications.

These experiences have deepened my interest in the intersection of materials science and renewable energy. I’m particularly excited by the battery space and the opportunity to improve energy storage systems through materials innovation, making them more efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible. As I prepare to travel abroad to Berlin, I look forward to expanding my research experience on an international level and gaining exposure to advanced materials characterization techniques. I see this as a valuable opportunity to grow both technically and personally, and to build a broader foundation for graduate research.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue learning through interdisciplinary collaboration, combining engineering, experimentation, and creativity to help develop the next generation of sustainable energy technologies.

Undergraduate Advisor: Mike Toney (Univeristy of Colorado Boulder)
IRES-Perovskites Advisor: Stefan Hecht (Humboldt Universität Berlin)

Impact of Solvent Choice and Molecular Blend on Y6 Molecular Arrangement

Y6 is a leading non-fullerene acceptor in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices due to its molecular flexibility, tunable energy levels, and optimal optical band gap for efficient solar energy conversion. However, the arrangement of Y6 at the nanoscale remains a key factor limiting device performance, as morphology strongly influences charge separation and transport. In this work, we use scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to investigate how solvent environment and molecular additives influence the Y6 unit cell structure at the solid–liquid interface. Y6 solutions were drop-cast onto highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), and the resulting STM images revealed notable changes in lamellar spacing, unit cell angle, and molecular packing under different conditions. These findings provide direct structural insight into how backbone and side-chain organizations respond to processing environment, offering guidance for morphological control in high-performance OPV systems.

Development of a UPyDAE Photo Switch

Photo-switchable molecules such as UPyDAE are valuable tools for controlling molecular properties with light, offering potential applications in smart materials and molecular devices. This study reports progress toward the synthesis of UPyDAE, focusing on the development and application of key synthetic techniques, including Schlenk line manipulations, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS). While the full synthesis of the target photo switch was not completed, several intermediates were successfully prepared, monitored, and characterized, providing insight into reaction behavior and purity. The results highlight both the potential pathways for achieving the synthesis and the practical skills gained in modern organic synthesis.

IRES 2025 Final Report