Tuesday, July 17, 2007

We attended the PhD dissertation defense of R.C.Woudenberg, entitled "Anhydrous Proton Conducting Materials for Use in High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells". His research proposed improvements to expand the optimal operating temperatures of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) from their current range of 80 degrees C to 120-200 degrees C. PEMFCs have high efficiency and are non-polluting, but current examples have a low operating temperature. This research proposed the synthesis of a copolymer, joining a molecule that performs well at low temperatures with a molecule that performs well at high temperatures; this also correlates with operation under hydrous and anhydrous conditions.

After the presentation, we transferred images of wrinkling experiments to the computers in the Conte lab and did some data reduction using Image J and Omega. I spent some time writing out and fine tuning a procedure for operation of the X-Ray reflectometer. The finished procedure is available to you in the column to the right under "Procedures in the Lab".

Every Tuesday at 1:30, all members of Dr. Russell's research team meet to share information and gain ideas from one another. There are about 30 people in attendance, and we are welcomed as guests. Each week, two group members give major presentations of about 30 to 45 minutes each that provide in-depth information about the progress of their research. Occasionally, Dr. Russell will invite someone from another group (operating on another floor of Conte with a different specialty) to present their findings. In addition, Dr. Russell will ask two or three individual group members to read and present a synopsis of a journal article he has read or that they themselves have found particularly interesting and relevant to their research. The purpose of the meeting is not only to keep everyone informed about what is going on within the group, but also to help the researchers be certain that they aren't missing something. Everyone works together and provide support to one another. I am infinitely impressed by the amount and depth of knowledge Dr. Russell possesses.

This week, journal article presentations include "Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy" followed by "A Menagerie of Interface Substructures in Copolymer Systems". Maisie then presented her post-doc work on "Virus Nanoparticles on Patterned Wafers". The goal of her research is to create a perfect pattern of virus nanoparticles on a surface so that there is a perfect distribution of feature size, and a perfect center to center distance between the features, and no line edge roughness. She is using the Cow Pea Mosaic Virus because every one of them is the same size (called monodispersal). If she is able to accomplish this, it would be very useful in data storage. The second presentation discusses "Modification of Horse Spleen Ferritin". Most of this one is way over my head and not especially interesting to me. Juangshui presents the last paper of the day concerning wrinkling. The meeting lasts for three hours with a short ten minute break part way through. It is not always easy to stay focused.