Postdoctoral research, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science / Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
August 2011-present
Adviser: Eray Aydil / Uwe Kortshagen
Project: Plasma-nanoparticle interactions: plasma diagnostics and nanoparticle properties
Goals:
- Study crystallization of nanoparticles in a nonthermal plasma using nanoparticle characterization and plasma diagnostics
- Construct a new dusty plasma reactor for laser light scattering, electrical probe measurements, and other diagnostic analysis
Thesis research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN
June 2005-June 2011
Adviser: Uwe Kortshagen
Project: Structural and surface correlations to optical properties of semiconductor nanoparticles
produced by nonthermal plasma reactor
- Tuned nonthermal radiofrequency plasma reactor parameters to adjust nanoparticle structure and surface characteristics, optimizing for optical, electrical, and processability traits
- Characterized nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, electroluminescence, and photoluminescence
- Synthesized hybrid organic/inorganic light-emitting devices (LEDs) using polymers and silicon nanoparticles in direct application for infrared LED technologies
Undergraduate research intern, Physics Department, Pennsylvania State University,
State College, PA
June – August 2002
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program
Adviser: Roy Willis
Project: Carbon nanotubes for conduction of spin-conserved electron transport
- Experimented with nanotube deposition on electrode substrates with the goal of aligning the nanotubes directly across the electrodes
- Examined the nanotube alignment using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
