1) Low-cost solar cell technology for heterogeneously integrated systems
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shyh-Chiang Shen, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Abstract: Self-powered microsystems have been developed toward ever-decreasing size, weight, and power forms. The objectives of this project is to explore the possibility of embedding novel solar cell technology such as perovskite solar cell in a microelectronic circuits either through a system-on-chip or a system-on-package forms. The REU students will engage in literature study of state-of-the-art perovskite solar cell and perform experiments to implement perovskite-based solar cells. The outcome of the REU will provide comparative study to evaluate their potential and feasibility of the monolithic integration of such technology with other semiconductor technology platforms such as Si and GaAs. Visit the Shen Lab: http://shensc.ece.gatech.edu/
2) Plug-and-Play Electronic Devices
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael Filler, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Abstract: The REU student will collaborate with a team of graduate students and postdocs to develop processes for the entirely bottom-up fabrication of fully-functional, high performance field effect transistors. Devices fabricated in this fashion hold promise for the on-demand/3-D printing of low cost, personalized integrated circuits. The student will gain experience in chemical vapor deposition, surface chemical patterning, and state-of-the-art nanoscale characterization techniques. Visit the Filler Lab: http://www.fillerlab.com/
3) Synthesis and Characterization of Mechanical Properties of Transient Polymers.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Paul Kohl, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Polymers which disappear on command are of interest in for electronic devices and other components where retrieval or recovery of the device after use is not desirable. A new family of transient polymers has been discovered. Improving the synthesis and mechanical properties of the polymer is necessary to use these polymers in applications like electronic sensors, parachutes and drones. Visit the Kohl Lab: http://kohl.chbe.gatech.edu/
4) Design and synthesis of novel cathode materials for sodium ion and potassium ion batteries.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Haillong Chen, Mechanical Engineering
The Nano-ACES lab led by Dr. Haillong Chen is working on multiple projects across a broad range of topics in electrochemical energy storage, including Na-ion and Ki-ion batteries, Li-metal batteries and solid state batteries. Particularly, projects on design, synthesis and testing of novel cathode materials for sodium ion and potassium ion batteries are open for REU students. The REU student will be working mentored by a graduate student or a postdoc, as well as the supervision of Dr. Chen. Students in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering or related majors are welcome to apply. For more details about the research in the Nano-ACES lab please see the website: http://hlchen.gatech.edu/ Students are welcome to email Dr. Chen for more questions.
5) Understanding strain localization and failure during deformation of 3D printed stainless steel
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Josh Kacher, Materials Science and Engineering
The purpose of this project is to understand how processing conditions during 3D printing of stainless steels influence their deformation and strain localization behavior in comparison to the deformation behavior observed in traditionally-manufactured stainless steel. Metal 3D printing shows great promise in enabling the manufacturing of complex parts that cannot be made using traditional machining or casting techniques, but there are still ongoing questions about how the fabrication process affects the long term mechanical behavior of the printed parts. To explore the deformation and failure behavior, the student will couple in situ deformation in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with diffraction-based strain mapping techniques using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Post-processing of the diffraction data will yield insights into where defects are accumulating in the samples in relation to the microstructure and how this relates to crack formation processes. Over the course of the summer, the student will gain expertise in electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and data processing. Visit the Kacher Lab: http://sites.gatech.edu/kacherlab/
6) Synthesis of noble-metal nanocrystals for energy-related applications
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Younan Xia, Biomedical Engineering
The REU student will work with a senior graduate student on the synthesis of noble-metal nanocrystals for energy-related applications. Specifically, the student will learn how to design and rationally synthesize platinum nanocrystals with well-defined surface structures for use as a catalyst for hydrogen fuel cell application. The student will acquire skills in both nanomaterial synthesis and characterization. To learn more about the Xia Lab: http://www.nanocages.com/
7) Structure-reactivity correlation of manganese oxide nanoparticles
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yuanzhi Tang, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The biogeochemistry related research project will focus on the structure-reactivity correlation of manganese oxide nanoparticles. The student will explore the degradation and transformation of complex phosphorus molecules as related to nutrient cycling and recycling in aqueous environments. The project will also examine the recovery of critical nutrients and metals from waste streams. Visit the Tang group at: http://tang.eas.gatech.edu/
8) Microfluidic device for delivering particles to cells
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Todd Sulchek, Mechanical Engineering
The overall goal of the project is to build and test microfluidic devices to deliver particles to cells via repeated compressions. The design will be made from molded polymers. The geometry of the device will be tested for efficient delivery. The capabilities of the device to deliver a range of particle sizes will be evaluated for a variety of biomedical applications. Building a system for pumping cells to the chip with interconnects will also be pursued. Clean room, laser cutting, and/or mechanical design will be used. Visit the Sulchek lab at: http://sulcheklab.gatech.edu/
9) Micro Heat Engines for Pumping Liquids
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Todd Sulchek, Mechanical Engineering
The overall goal of the project is to build and understand a liquid-piston heat engine based upon the Stirling cycle. The design will be made from molded or machined flexible polymers. The impact of size-scale and planar geometry on the operation will be tested. The capabilities of the engine will be tested by pumping a variety of liquids including coolants. Clean room, laser cutting, and/or microscopy characterization will be used. Visit the Sulcheck lab at: http://sulcheklab.gatech.edu/
10) Zn-based batteries for ultra-safe grid-scale energy storage
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nian Liu, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The intermittence of renewable electricity from solar and wind limits their penetration in electric grid to barely ~2%. Grid-scale (>10TW today, still growing) batteries can leverage the fluctuations from the supply and even shift energy from day to night, and could accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. Zn-based batteries (Zn-air, Zn-Br, Zn-Ni, etc) are intrinsically high-energy, high-power, safe and low cost, which are ideal for grid-scale applications. However, they currently suffer from poor rechargeability. The project proposed here will develop in situ methods and techniques to experimentally understand and verify the root causes for their irreversibility, and experimentally design new structures for electrode materials to enhance the rechargeability of Zn-based batteries for large scale energy storage. Visit the Liu lab: http://liu.chbe.gatech.edu/
11) Fabrication of 3-omega immersion sensors to support the US Department of Energy Generation III Concentrated Solar Demonstration
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shannon Yee, Mechanical Engineering
The REU student will work as part of a team developing the thermal metrology to support the US Department of Energy Generation III Concentrated Solar Demonstration. Over the next 5 years, teams of researchers from around the country will work together to realize a new high temperature electricity source derived from heat from the sun. In this project, the REU student will assist in fabricating 3-omega immersion sensors that will be inserted into high temperature (700 C – 1200 C) molten salts (NaCl-KCl-MgCl). These sensors will be micro-fabricated using the IEN facilities at Georgia Tech. Specifically, the student will learn about thin-film deposition and thermal metrology. The specific clean room activities will entail depositing metal on ceramic fibers using a DC sputtering and a rotary lathe, and then applying a barrier layer using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Outside the cleanroom the student will work with a larger group to characterize a series of heat transfer media and containment materials using the 3-omega technique. Visit the Yee lab at: http://www.yeelab.gatech.edu/.
12) Analysis of Thermal Management of Power Electronic Devices
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Satish Kumar, Mechanical Engineering
In this project, student will be developing thermal model of power-electronic devices to analyze their thermal characteristics and suggest thermal management solutions. The goal is to develop computational model to explore temperature rise of electronic components on a chip for different power dissipation and explore options for the thermal management. Commercial Package ANSYS Fluent / COMSOL will be used to develop model of the electronic package and to analyze the results. Visit the Kumar lab at: http://minds.gatech.edu/