Project #1 title:
"Synthesis and Characterization of Semiconductor Metal Oxide Nanowires for
Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation"
Project #1 description:
The primary goal of this project is to develop and validate a new type of
nanostructured photoelectrodes for solar hydrogen generation, with radical
improvements in efficiency, cost and scalability. This is an
interdisciplinary project. The high-school student interns will work with
graduate students on the synthesis and characterization of metal oxide
nanowires and nanowire heterostructures. Photoelectrodes will be fabricated
using these nanomaterials. Photoelectrochemical studies would be carried out
to measure the efficiency of hydrogen generation, and more importantly, to
understand the fundamental correlation between photoelectrochemical
properties and the structure of nanomaterials. Students will have a unique
chance to get hands-on experience on material synthesis (hydrothermal
synthesis, chemical vapor deposition) and characterization techniques
(electron microscopy, UV-visible and Raman spectroscopy, fabrication and
measurement of photoelectrochemical cells).
Project #2 title:
"Interfacing Microbiology with Micro/Nanotechnology"
Project #2 description:
Energy crisis and environmental pollution are emerging as two major global
problems. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) techniques allow production of clean
bioelectricity based on microbial catalysis of organic waste, and represent
a promising appraoch to address both problems simultaneously. We plan to
develop on-chip microfluidic devices, as a versatile platform for addressing
the fundamental issues and potentials of MFC studies. The typical micro-MFC
consists of a 1.5-mL anode chamber (SU-8) and a 4-mL cathode chamber (PDMS).
/Shewanella Oneidensis /strain/ MR-1/ will be used to colonize a carbon or
gold anode. We will measure the electron transfer, power density, and
sustainability of the devices.
One or at most two interns will be selected, based on
the teachers' recommendation letters and student statement. The summer
internship is expected to last 10 weeks. The start date is flexible - it can
be any time after June 13, 2010.
To apply, submit the following materials to your
school's summer project coordinator. Applications received by Wednesday,
March 31, 2010 are guaranteed to receive full consideration (*** NOTE - THE
ORIGINAL DEADLINE WAS MARCH 1 BUT IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY A MONTH ***):
(1) Current school transcript
(2) A single-paragraph recommendation from each of your chemistry teachers
(3) A short statement explaining your interest in this internship