2013 SURF Research Opportunities
Application deadline is February 15, 2013.
Applied Chemicals and Materials Division
647-1 Vapor Generation and Analysis in Forensic Sciences
Thomas J. Bruno, 303-497-5158, bruno[at]boulder.nist.gov
A new, very high sensitivity method to generate and analyze vapors is pyrolysis cryoadsorption, recently developed at NIST. It has been used to test for explosives, cosmetics, fuel additives, etc. We will extend this to the detection of pollutants, often the result of illegal dumping. A SURF student working on this will become expert at gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and many other analytical techniques. Contact advisor for more details.
647-2 Development of Practical Biofuels
Thomas J. Bruno, 303-497-5158, bruno[at]boulder.nist.gov
The best method to study the phase properties of biofuels is the composition-explicit distillation curve developed at NIST. The technique provides an energy content channel in addition to the volatility of a fuel. We have applied this method to biodiesel, and this summer we will extend this to include aviation fuels. A SURF student working on this will become expert at gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and many other analytical techniques. Contact advisor for more details.
647-3 Nanotechnology for Water and Energy
Lauren Greenlee, 303-497-4234, greenlee[at]boulder.nist.gov
We design nanostructured materials for water treatment and alternative energy applications, including water contaminant degradation, filtration, fuel oxidation, and water electrolysis. We work on nanoparticle and membrane synthesis, and we use a range of instruments for material characterization. A SURF student involved in this project will have the opportunity to learn experimental techniques including nanoparticle synthesis, nanoparticle characterization, microscopy, and membrane testing.
647-4 Alternative Energy: Transportation of Hydrogen Fuel
Andy Slifka, 303-497-3744, slifka[at]boulder.nist.gov
Alternative energy will take many forms in the U.S. in the future. Hydrogen will be a part of the overall alternative energy strategy, and the most efficient means of fuel transport is by pipeline. Hydrogen embrittles steel, so we are measuring the extent of that embrittlement in a range of steels and determining why it occurs. If you don’t mind danger and destruction, come and break steels in our high-pressure hydrogen chamber.
647-5 Lightweight Steel for Automotive Applications
Jim Fekete, 303-497-5204, jrfekete[at]boulder.nist.gov
The need for improved fuel economy without compromising safety is driving development of advanced high strength steels with remarkable combinations of strength and ductility for structural applications in vehicles. This opportunity will expose the student to the application of advanced analytical tools for understanding the underlying microstructural mechanisms responsible for the performance of these materials, enabling the development of advanced steels with even higher performance.
647-6 Raman Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials
Lawrence Robins, 303-497-6794, lrobins[at]boulder.nist.gov
We are using Raman spectroscopy to investigate materials for efficient energy generation and usage, and graphene platforms for trace detection of molecules in forensic investigations. Raman spectroscopy utilizes measurements of molecular or lattice vibrational frequencies to gain insight into structural, mechanical, chemical, and electronic properties. Students interested in contributing to leading-edge research on applications of nanomaterials are encouraged to apply.
647-7 Nondestructive Evaluation Techniques for Key Engineering Materials
Brian Burks, 303-497-5152, bmb[at]boulder.nist.gov
The study of the propagation of transient stress waves in materials provides insight into best practices for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. In this project, students will gain laboratory experience in guided wave measurements of key engineering materials, e.g., polymer matrix composites, advanced metallic alloys, etc. Students will develop skills in NDE and mechanical testing by collaborating on various project opportunities, with the prospect of publishing journal articles.
Quantum Electronics and Photonics Division
686-1 Unique Quantum States of Light
Shellee Dyer and Thomas Gerrits, 303-497-7463, sdyer[at]boulder.nist.gov
Our team has developed some of the world’s best single-photon detectors, with detection efficiencies near 100%. Our superconducting nanowire detectors have extremely low timing jitter, and our transition-edge sensors have photon-number resolution capacity. We use these detectors to demonstrate unique quantum states of light. The student will learn various quantum phenomena and characterization methods, and will be involved in the ongoing development of new quantum-state sources.
686-2 Quantum Voltage Standards
Robert Schwall, 303-497-4732, schwall[at]boulder.nist.gov
NIST provides voltage standards to nations around the world and these standards are migrating to cryogen-free operation. The Quantum Voltage project is seeking an experienced upper-division student to assist in the development of cryogen-free, programmable Josephson voltage standards (PJVS). The student should have hands-on experience with cryocoolers, microwave electronics, and cryogenic thermal measurements. Opportunities will exist for publication of results.
Electromagnetics Division
687-1 Graphene Beyond the Microscale
Mark Keller, 303-497-5430, mkeller[at]boulder.nist.gov
The excitement generated by the exceptional physical properties of graphene led to the 2010 Nobel Prize in physics for its discoverers. We are developing methods for graphene synthesis over millimeter length scales with the performance and uniformity required for practical electronic, mechanical, and chemical devices. SURF participants will learn a variety of film deposition techniques, use various characterization tools, and gain hands-on experience with the strongest material known.
687-2 Microsystems for Bio-Imaging and Metrology
John Moreland, 303-497-3641, moreland[at]boulder.nist.gov
This project uses micro- and nano-systems (MEMS and NEMS) for new instrumentation in biomedical research. We are interested in applications of nanometer-scale magnetic particles in microfluidics and in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some examples include novel probe microscopes, ultra-sensitive magnetometers for bio-assays, high-resolution MR spectrometer probes, magnetic manipulation and measurement of molecules, and radio-frequency tags and contrast agents for MRI.
687-3 Quantification of Flow in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Karl Stupic, Katy Keenan, and Stephen Russek, 303-497-5097, russek[at]boulder.nist.gov
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to measure flow in blood vessels, heart, and cerebrospinal fluid. It is critical that the measurement of in-vivo flow fields is accurate and consistent for reliable characterization of disease processes and preventative screening. For this project, the student will build a flow apparatus for our MRI system. The student will construct imaging phantoms, run MRI sequences, and process MRI data to determine the best methods to accurately map flow fields.
687-5 System Control and Automation Software for Spintronics
Eric Evarts, Matthew Pufall, and William Rippard, 303-497-4835, ere[at]boulder.nist.gov
This project provides opportunities for a motivated student with an interest in experimental control and automation to learn how to control sensitive, cutting-edge experiments with a computer. The student will implement a complete experimental control system in a modern programming language, with functionality including hardware interfacing, setting up the measurement, recording and rendering the data, and even implementation of analysis and fitting of the data (time permitting).
687-6 Development of Ultrathin MgO Tunnel Barriers for Spintronic Devices
Eric Evarts, Matthew Pufall, and William Rippard, 303-497-4835, ere[at]boulder.nist.gov
Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) thin films are at the heart of many spintronic applications. The performance and efficiency of MTJ thin films are exponentially dependent on the thickness and quality of the insulator for thicknesses less than 1 nm (about 5 atomic layers). In this project, the student will help design, build, install, and test a wedge deposition subsystem for sputter depositing MgO thin films with controlled thickness variation for optimizing properties for spintronic applications.
687-7 Developing the Metrology for Public-Safety Wireless Systems
Kate Remley, 303-497-3652, remley[at]boulder.nist.gov
The NIST Wireless Project is developing techniques and tools to ensure the reliability of new types of wireless equipment being used by the public-safety community, including emergency beacons and search and rescue robots. Complex, automated techniques are required to measure system performance in both laboratory and field-deployment environments. This project will focus on developing the software and algorithms that are required for effective testing of state-of-the-art wireless systems.
687-8 Microengineered MRI Contrast Agents
Gary Zabow and John Moreland, 303-497-4657, zabow[at]boulder.nist.gov
Microfabricated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents are a new class of imaging agents based on magnetic micro- and nanostructures that add color to MRI. The student will experiment with new micropatterning techniques aimed at fabricating such structures in faster and cheaper ways, gaining experience in microfabrication, MRI, and possibly magnetics simulation. This project would ideally suit a student with a background in both chemistry and physics.
687-9 Radio-Frequency Characterization of Devices
David Novotny, 303-497-3168, novotny[at]boulder.nist.gov
Our Antenna Lab characterizes mission-critical antennas for Department of Defense and the aerospace and communications industries. The student will help characterize RF devices used in our systems. We will teach network analysis techniques on state-of-the-art equipment. Students should have good lab skills, with suggested majors in EE, ME, or physics.
Time and Frequency Division
688-1 Optical Atomic Clocks
Chris Oates, 303-497-7654, oates[at]boulder.nist.gov
The student will aid in the development of next-generation optical atomic clocks. Many techniques of atomic physics will be introduced, including laser cooling, magneto-optical trapping, optical lattices, laser stabilization, and ultra-high resolution spectroscopy. The student will gain experience with different laser systems, including diode lasers, green and yellow light sources based on nonlinear conversion of infrared fiber lasers, and red Ti:sapphire lasers.
688-2 Development of Compact Atomic Clocks Based on Laser-Cooled Atoms
Elizabeth Donley, 303-497-5173, edonley[at]boulder.nist.gov
Portable, high-performance atomic clocks in battery-operable packages could bring about dramatic new timing applications in navigation and communications systems. Toward this goal, we are developing compact atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping. A student working on this project will experience a broad range of techniques needed for the long-term development of compact atomic clocks, including lasers and optics, measurement methods, electronics, atomic theory, and vacuum systems.
<NEW> 688-3 Atomic Clock Technology
David Howe, 303-497-3277, howe[at]boulder.nist.gov
The metrology group is pursuing atomic clock technology with reduced sensitivities to vibration. Once developed, such technology has immediate use in field applications such as secure telecommunications, navigation, and radar. With this as the guiding goal, the student will be involved in setting up a cold atom clock and performing tests to characterize vibration sensitivity. The student will learn about atomic physics, laser cooling, rf electronics, and noise characterization.
