MIT-DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
DMSE PRE-UROP LIST OF PROJECTS
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
TWO SESSIONS : IAP 2003 OR FEBRUARY 2003
(*This program is run by DMSE, separate from the
Institute preUROP program. This document was prepared based on the Institute
preUROP program guidelines here : http://web.mit.edu/urop/mentor.html)
Ferromagnetic
Shape Memory Alloys
Mentor : Kate Jenkins, DMSE senior (mailto:elidor@mit.edu)
Laboratory : O'Handley (http://web.mit.edu/bobohand/www/index.html)
(mailto:bobohand@MIT.EDU)
Mentees :
IAP 2003 : Antonella I Alunni (aalunni@MIT.EDU), Cynthia
Wilson (cmwilson@MIT.EDU), Gemma
Mendel (gmendel@mit.edu), Luis Perez (luisp_06@mit.edu)
02/03 : Katrina M Cornell (muir@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description : Kate has worked as a UROP in the O'Handley Lab for
two years (about 10 hrs/week, 1 summer). She also has worked at a polymer lab
in Cambridge University for 1 summer and in a Chem lab in Course 12 for 1
summer. Her research interests are currently ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.
She is presenting a poster at the 2002 MRS, and submitted a paper to them on
which she was primary author entitled "Pulse-field actuation of collinear
magnetic single crystals." Kate says "I am really interested in the
teaching aspect of this program; I think if more people did UROPs and stuck to
them they would come out of MIT with something useful behind their claims of
being educated. One of my absolute favorite experiences here has been working
in Bob's lab with the grad students and visiting scientists, and I really want
to show freshmen that you can actually do things that relate to your problem
sets, which in a way makes them more bearable." Kate's
resume is here.
Polyvinyl Chloride
Tracheal Tubes
Mentor : Kristin
Brodie, DMSE senior (krbrodie@mit.edu), read
her MIT profile for the MIT admissions office here.
Laboratory : Ortiz (http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/)
Mentees :
IAP 2003 : Jill Konowich (konowich@MIT.EDU), Bola Alabi (balabi10@MIT.EDU) (filled
through Institute preUROP)
Nathan Douglass (nathan06@mit.edu),
Marvin Bryan Shieh (mbshieh@mit.edu)
02/03 : Alexander Borschow (alexlb@MIT.EDU), Yiqun Bai (yiqun_b@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description : Kristin is working on studying the macro and
nano-scale properties of PVC (poly(vinyl chloride) and the PVC plasticizer,
which makes it soft, that is currently in use in endotracheal tubes.
Endotracheal tubes are medical devices used when a patient undergoes
anesthesia. There is a cuff which inflates on the tube to block the flow of air
and a ventilator allows air flow which keeps the patient breathing. She has
been both analyzing the PVC and processing it in an attempt to determine the
optimal properties necessary for the cuff of the tube. The ultimate goal of the
project is to thoroughly analyze the PVC and then create a tube with a new cuff
design that is built in a way that won't harm the tracheal area. The reason I
became interested in these tubes is because the current tubes inflate and press
against the walls of the tracheal area and often cause more damage to a patient
than their surgery. She will be having
her pre-UROPer help her both process and analyze PVC with different
concentrations of plasticizer. She will teach him/her how to do basic
mechanical testing on plastics and also give them an introduction to how
nano-materials work. She will also give them an introduction to some of the
applications of nano-scale testing in relation to my project on the polymer
PVC.
Magnetic and
Magneto-Optic Films
Mentor : Filip Ilievski, DMSE senior (filip@MIT.EDU)
Laboratory : Ross (http://web.mit.edu/dmse/ross/)
Mentees :
IAP 2003 : Kelley
Rivoire (krivoire@MIT.EDU),
Ben Cooper (benc@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description : Filip works on the deposition and characterization
of magnetic and magneto-optic films. He uses a pulsed laser deposition system
to deposit various metal oxides on silicon and MgO substrates. Then, he
examines what phases are present in the films using XRD, looking at the
composition and the thickness of the films to get information such as
deposition rate and volume of samples.
Magnetic properties of the films using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer.
He is looking at trends in the deposition conditions and see how they manifest
in the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of the films. These materials
find their application as part of the optical isolators in optical networks.
These optical isolators act as light "diodes" allowing for light to pass
in one direction and block any light returning to the source.
Nanoindentation
Mentor : TBA (mailto:@MIT.EDU)
Laboratory : Suresh (http://sureshgroup.mit.edu/)
Mentees : IAP 2003 : Neera Jain (njain@mit.edu)
Project
Description : TBA
The Effect of
Nanoparticles on Microstructural Evolution
Mentor
: Ellen
Jane Siem (esiem@MIT.EDU),
DMSE graduate student
Laboratory : Carter (http://www-dmse.mit.edu/faculty/faculty/ccarter/,
http://pruffle.mit.edu/) The Carter Research Group does theory and computation
on microstructural development and microscopic properties of materials and
their research spans surface thermodynamics to fracture and reliability. The
goal is to produce predictive models for complex material behavior.
Mentees : Feb 2003 :
Gabriel E. Becerra (gabbec@mit.edu)
Project
Description : Often, a material will contain internal
interfaces. An interface essentially
acts as a boundary between two regions of space that differ
in
some way. There are several examples
for which the properties of an internal interface impact the overall behavior
of a material. When the interface
separates two homogeneous regions which differ only in their geometric
orientation (two grains), it is called a grain boundary. As an analogy, think
of a mass of soap bubbles---each bubble corresponds to a grain and each film
separating neighboring bubbles corresponds to a grain boundary. It is possible
to find nanoparticles of a second phase attached to a grain boundary (as in an
Al-Pb alloy). During grain growth,
grain boundaries move to allow some grains to grow at the expense of
others. When a nanoparticle is attached
to a grain boundary, it becomes difficult for the boundary to move, and grain
growth can be hindered. This pinning
effect of the nanoparticles can lead to, for instance, a material which fails easily under brittle fracture. The
problem under study is: given a
particular interface and particle, what
is the energy-minimizing shape (i.e., equilibrium shape) of the particle when it attaches to the interface,
and how much force must a moving boundary exert free itself from the particle?
Structure,
Conformation, And Self-Assembly Of Cartilage Polyelectrolyte Macromolecules
Studied Via Atomic Force Microscopy
Mentor : Laurel Ng (ljng@mit.edu), Laurel is a 3rd year graduate
student in the Biological Engineering Division, http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/aggrecan.html
Laboratory : Ortiz (http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/) and
Grodzinsky (EECS)
Mentees : IAP
2003 : Leslie Kao (lekao@mit.edu)
Project
Description : Cartilage is a highly specialized, dense connective
tissue found between the surfaces of movable articular joints whose main
function is to bear stresses during joint motion. This complex biocomposite
possesses high stiffness, toughness, strength, resiliency, and shock
absorption. The extracellular matrix of cartilage is composed of many different
molecules and structures. The negatively charged, disaccharide chondroitin
sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) macromolecules are a major determinant of
the tissue's ability to resist compressive and shear loading in vivo (e.g.,
responsible for >50% of the equilibrium compressive elastic modulus under
normal physiological conditions (0.15 M salt concentration)). Approximately 100
CS-GAGs are covalently bound at extremely high densities (~2-4 nm separation
distance), to a 250 kDa core protein forming the aggrecan molecule. The high
charge density of the CS-GAGs of conjunction with their close packing cause
these polysaccharide chains to take on a rod-like conformation rather than a
random coil. Multiple aggrecan molecules self-assemble further to form
supramolecular proteoglycan aggregates by non-covalently attaching to a
hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan (HA) central filament, an interaction that is
stabilized by the adjacent binding of a small glycoprotein called a link
protein. These aggregates form the gel-like component of cartilage that is
enmeshed within a network of reinforcing collagen fibrils. The structure of
cartilage is shown schematically here.
In this project, we are using the Atomic Force Microscope to image the
conformation of the molecular constituents of cartilage aggregating
proteoglycans from the length scale of the aggregate (~microns) down to the
level of the individual glycosaminoglycan chains (~nm) in an ambient
environment, as well as aqueous solutions of varying ionic strength, i.e.
physiological and nonphysiological conditions. Up until now, only 2-dimensional
electron microscope images of prepared, fixed, and dried proteoglycan and
aggrecan have been obtained. The atomic force microscope (AFM) offers a number
of advantages including fluid imaging, lateral resolutions of less than one
nanometer, minimal sample preparation and time (samples do not need to be
coated, stained, or frozen), and the ability to use complementary techniques
which provide information on other surface properties, such as stiffness,
hardness, friction, or elasticity, in addition to topography. Using AFM, we
were able to directly visualize the domain structure of individual aggrecan
molecules and the variations in aggrecan conformation as a function of ionic
strength, as well asa with age (fetal versus mature). The self-assembly process
of aggrecan and hyaluronan to form aggregate was also directly observed.
Ongoing experiments include studies of effects of ionic strength and pH on
aggrecan conformation, characterization of the kinetics of the aggregate
self-assembly process, and the use of specific G1- and G3- antibodies to
further confirm aggrecan structures visualized by these methods.
Thin-Film
Magnetism and Superconductivity
Mentor : Tiffany Santos (tssantos@mit.edu, Tiffany completed a BS in
DMSE and is now a first year graduate student. She first started working with
Dr. Moodera in the Magnet Lab as a UROPer during her junior year.)
Laboratory Dr. Jagadeesh Moodera (moodera@MIT.EDU),
Francis Bitter Magnet Lab, MIT : The Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory is one of
the world’s leading laboratories in the application of high magnetic fields to
magnetic resonance and offers exciting research opportunities in several areas.
Prominent among these are solid state NMR spectroscopy, imaging, NMR
microscopy, quantum computing, high frequency EPR, gyrotron technology,
condensed matter physics (semiconductors, superconductivity, liquid crystals)
and high-temperature superconducting magnet technology. The Laboratory is also
a world leader in the investigation of the quantum effects and other phenomena
in atomically tailored materials (magnetic, superconducting and semiconducting
films) at nanoscale with a view to understand the physics and materials aspect
down to atomic level as well as with high potential for future digital storage
application. (http://web.mit.edu/fbml/cmr/)
Mentees :
IAP 2003 : Nabori D.
Santiago (sukachi@mit.edu)
Feb 2003 : Brian
Goodness (kaulia@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description : As semiconductor electronic devices are rapidly
shrinking in size, the physical limit to further miniaturization is fast
approaching. A new field called spintronics has emerged and has the potential
to lead the way to even smaller devices, faster communications and
higher-density storage. Conventional electronic devices rely on the charge of
the electron; spintronics now turns the focus onto the spin of the electron.
This project involves fabrication and characterization of devices called tunnel
junctions, which are thin film structures designed to characterize
electron-spin transport of various materials, including magnetic materials,
semiconductors and superconductors. Electrical characteristics of the
junctions, such as conductance, magnetoresistance and I-V characteristics, are
measured at room temperature and low temperature. The thin films are
characterized using techniques such as Auger spectroscopy, atomic force
microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical spectroscopy, and SQUID
Magnetometry.
Electrochromic
Layer-by-Layer Thin Polymer Films
Mentor : Nicole S. Zacharia (nzach@MIT.EDU, Nicole is a 2nd year DMSE
graduate student.
Laboratory : Hammond (http://web.mit.edu/hammond/lab/index.html)
Mentees :
IAP 2003 : Zach Gazak
(zgazak@mit.edu), Brittany N Montgomery
(bnmont@MIT.EDU)
Feb 2003 : Forrest
Liau (forrest@mit.edu), 2 positions
available
Project
Description : Using the guided self-assembly method of preparing
polymer thin films based on electrostatic forces or hydrogen-bonding it is
possible to incorporate polymers of many different functionalities, including
conducting polymers and other optically active materials. We are working on
developing systems containing electrochromic (ie color changing upon a voltage)
polymers, with the goal of preparing an entire layer-by-layer device. Such
devices have the possibility of being competitive with liquid crystal diplays
for large area applications, their primary advantages lying in low power
consumption and the fact that they are entirely solid state.
Nanomechanics of
Bone Implant Materials
Mentor : Jen McKeehan (jenmck@mit.edu), Jen is a 2nd year
DMSE graduate student.
Laboratory :
Ortiz (http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/)
Mentees : Feb
2003 : Billy Burke (burkew@mit.edu), Vanessa
Quinlivan (mailto:vhq@mit.edu)
Project
Description : Jen studies nanoindentation, molecular mechanisms
of deformation and fracture, characteractization of surface forces, nanoscale
interactions with bone proteins, individual bone cells, and glycosaminoglycans
of bone substitute materials such as hydroxyapatite. Jen's project is in
conjunction with Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI).
Nanomechanics of
Bone
Mentor : Kuangshin Tai (taik@mit.edu), Kuangshin is a 2nd
year DMSE graduate student.
Laboratory :
Ortiz (http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/)
Mentees : Feb
2003 : Krystle CM Scott (mailto:marie810@mit.edu), Joseph
Martinez (mailto:jomar@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description :
Design,
Fabrication and Properties of Ultra-thin Films of Polymers for Electrical,
Optical, and Biomaterial Applications
Mentor : TBA
Laboratory : Rubner
(http://web.mit.edu/dmse/rubner/
http://www-dmse.mit.edu/faculty/faculty/rubner/)
Mentees : IAP
2003 : Abraham Wei (mailto:awei@mit.edu),
Anita Kris (mailto:ask@MIT.EDU),
Lily Huang (mailto:ljhuang@MIT.EDU)
Project
Description : TBA
MORE PROJECTS ARE AVAILABLE
AND WILL BE POSTED ON A ROLLING BASIS!!
CONTACT PROF. ORTIZ FOR DETAILS