Summer Research Experience for Teachers
In the summer of 2006, the following teachers have joined the MRSEC team:
Nicholas Reding, Papillion-La Vista High School
worked with Stephen Ducharme, Physics.
“I am working on a project to develop dielectric materials for high-energy-density capacitors. Capacitors are devices used to store electric charge, consisting of one or more pairs of conductors, or electrodes, separated by an insulator called a dielectric. The electrodes are made out of aluminum and separated by a dielectric copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE).
The thinner the capacitor, the more energy that can be stored, therefore it is essential to create films as thin as possible. By creating nanometer-thick films, record high energy densities are possible making these tiny capacitors useful for many applications including computer electronics and portable power.”
Pamela Rasmussen, Raymond Central High School
worked with Jeff Shield, Mechanical Engineering.
"In the lab, I have been working to characterize MnAu thin-films and CuFe clusters. I have also been working with other "Research Experience for Teachers" participants writing lesson plans to introduce our students to research on the nanoscale."
Chris Deeter, Lincoln Lutheran High School
worked with Jody Redepenning, Chemistry.
“I am working on the applications of ferrofluids and magnetism to the high school classroom. Much of my time this summer was spent refining a procedure for making a ferrofluids in a high school classroom. Along with the ferrofluids procedure, I developed several discrepant events which focus on magnetism ideas. All of these ideas along with the new science content I gained this summer will be applied to my teaching this fall.
This summer I was also involved with the other RET's in developing lessons and a Website that contain resources for ourselves and other teachers to use to implement nanotechnology into their classrooms."
Steven Wignall (right), Seward High School
worked with Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, Physics.
"I am continuing the research that I have been involved with the past two summers. We are still refining the way we make Iron nanoparticles, and continuing to find better ways to separate them from the oil and surfactant mixture we collect them in. This summer I am also involved with the other RET's in developing lessons and a Website that will contain resources for ourselves and other teachers to use to implement nanotechnology into their classrooms."