TCU DEPARTMENT of PHYSICS and ASTRONOMY

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

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Fort Worth, TX 76129
Phone: (817) 257-7375
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Email:reu-phys@tcu.edu

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MENTOR INFORMATION

Jeff Coffer, Chair of Chemistry Department and Professor of Chemistry
Project: New Porous Cardiovascular Materials. 
Cardiovascular disease remains a serious health threat to the American population. One common treatment modality involves the use of synthetic stents to remove blockages in affected vessels. However, the failure of such devices in vivo remains a concern. One strategy proposed by our group centers on the design and fabrication of so-called ‘smart stents’ that involve a combination of metals and the well-established backbone of the electronic industry, semiconducting silicon (Si). The goals of this specific project are two fold: (1) fabricate and characterize new combinations of biocompatible metals with silicon; followed by (2) an analysis of the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of these new materials via a cellular body fluid. The first part of this project, fabrication, has two components. The first involves the preparation of a systematic series of composites of varying iron to silicon ratios, incorporating different structural types of silicon (mesoporous, nanosphere, nanowire, microcrystal) into the composite. Characterization of these composites will be done using a combination of optical and scanning electron microscopy, and elemental energy dispersive x-ray analysis. After an optimal formulation has been established, we will then attempt to construct more authentic tube-like geometries to confirm the size/shape independence of such structures. In the second phase, the chemical stability in common simulated plasma solutions will be evaluated, along with an assessment of their mechanical properties (hardness and elasticity).
For more information: http://www.chm.tcu.edu/COFFER_2003.htm

William R.M. Graham, Professor of Physics
Project: The Characterization of the Structures and Spectra of Astrophysical Molecules and Semiconductor Species.
Undergraduate students would be involved in research on the characterization of the structures and spectra of novel molecules, molecular clusters, and free radicals that are of known or potential importance to astrophysical processes or to semiconductor applications that require infrared spectra as a diagnostic tool. Projects include the formation and characterization of long carbon chains that are potential interstellar molecules, generation and identification of infrared spectra of novel molecular clusters of germanium and silicon, and the detection of new hydrocarbon free radicals formed by photolytic techniques. The research provides experience in various experimental procedures: laser ablation of solids, deposition of condensed samples in vacuum at cryogenic temperatures, recording and analysis of data from a high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer at near to far infrared frequencies, processing and analysis of data. Most students find appealing the potential applications to astronomy and the larger implications for the physical and chemical evolution of the Universe.
For More information:  http://molecular.phys.tcu.edu/

Edward Kolesar, W. A. Moncrief Professor of Engineering
Project: Design and Development of a MEMS-Based Cardiopulmonary Smart Card Technology.
Undergraduate students would be involved in research to develop ultra-thin solid polymer batteries, light-emitting diodes, conducting polymer switches, and MEMS pressure and accelerometer sensors that can be laminated in a credit card format to realize a SmartCard technology for physicians and health care providers who may be called upon to administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  The benefits of this technology will be that a visual light-emitting diode display will provide the individual administering CPR with important information regarding the force used and the rate at which the compressions are being administered. The student researchers will gain experience designing, modeling and testing MEMS devices.  They will also have an opportunity to characterize the electrical performance of ultra-thin polymer batteries. By communicating their research results with industry sponsors and project collaborators, the student researchers will gain valuable experience creating and delivering professional presentations.

Pamela Marcum, Associate Professor of Astrophysics
Project: Galaxy Evolution.
Current research in my lab focuses on relative roles of environmental versus secular processes in the evolution of the morphology, stellar populations and dynamics of galaxies, and has spinned-off several related, self-contained projects that have a scope that is appropriate for summer research by undergraduates who do not necessarily have a strong astronomy background. Such projects involve one or more of the following: reduction and analysis of existing spectroscopy, CCD images, database-mining and numerical simulations.  Projects will be tailored to student interests and what astronomy courses that the student has taken. Additionally, students will learn how to use a Unix-based operating system, will hone their programming skills, and will develop familiarity with software packages commonly used by professional astronomers. Hands-on experience using facilities at McDonald Observatory is planned, and will allow the student to acquire spectral or imaging data for a future student project.

Bruce Miller, Professor of Physics
Project: Dynamical Systems Theory and Computation.
Getting a grip on the role of nonlinearity in Physics has produced the Chaos revolution. During the last two decades it has influenced nearly every branch of physics from the instabilities of stellar atmospheres to the beating of the human heart. In my group we employ idealized nonlinear models, which are amenable to both numerically accurate simulation and mathematical analysis to study the statistical physics and thermodynamics of systems with long-range forces. These models provide a fertile testing ground for current theories. Recently we have used a dynamical systems approach to investigate models of both gravothermal catastrophe and structure formation in the early universe. Experimentalists at the University of Texas have employed our related work on the theory of low dimensional accelerated billiards to demonstrate chaos with laser-trapped atoms. In addition, mathematicians have proved the existence of strong ergodic properties, i.e. chaos, in these models and educators have incorporated them into popular texts. Past experience at TCU has shown that motivated undergraduate science majors enjoy solving problems involving nonlinear dynamics. Moreover, they have made useful contributions to a number of articles published in the standard literature.  In carrying out their work, students become acquainted with basic dynamical methods and develop valuable programming and model building skills. In addition they are introduced to some of the seminal literature in the field and learn how to use on-line resources to determine what has already been established by others.
For more information:  http://personal.tcu.edu/~bmiller

C.A. Quarles, W. A. Moncrief Professor of Physics
Project: Characterization of materials using positron annihilation spectroscopy.
The two types of positron annihilation spectroscopy: (1) positron lifetime and (2) Doppler broadening are complementary and are widely used to characterize materials.  Roughly speaking, the positron lifetime is sensitive to the electron density in a material and the Doppler broadening of the annihilation gamma ray is sensitive to the electron momentum distribution. Positron spectroscopy is readily accessible to undergraduates with only modest experience in physics or chemistry and so is very well suited to a summer REU project. The basic principles and experimental techniques can be learned quickly, and the students get hands-on experience both in data analysis and taking data. The scope of a problem can be adjusted so that the student can accomplish something in ten weeks that can be presented at a meeting such as the Texas Section APS meeting. We currently have a variety of projects underway including the study of metal alloys, polymers, and polymer composites with carbon, metal or clay nano-particle fillers.
For more information:  http://personal.tcu.edu/~quarles

Magnus L. Rittby, Associate Dean of College of Science & Eng., Professor of Physics
Project: Quantum Mechanical Scattering, Molecular Structure and Dynamics.
The students will be involved in the development and application of new and existing quantum theoretical models in atomic and molecular physics. Small projects involving the interpretation of experimental data from the TCU molecular spectroscopy group enables a REU student to interact with both theoretical as well as experimental parts of a physical problem, possibly in the collaboration with another REU student. Anticipated projects will focus on modeling of quantum mechanical scattering as well as molecular structure and dynamics.

Tadeusz Waldek Zerda, Chair of Physics & Astronomy Department, Professor of Physics
Project: Atomic Structure of Superhard Diamond-SiC Nanocomposites.
The high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) sintering will produce hybrid composites in which micron and/or nano size diamonds are embedded in a nanostructured silicon carbide matrix. The emphasis of the proposed study is on understanding the formation mechanism of the nanostructured matrix, its structural and mechanical stability, and on characterization of its mechanical and physical properties. This combined approach will be used to select the optimum preparation procedures and technological conditions leading to superhard diamond-SiC nanocomposites. The novel idea explored here is to increase fracture toughness of the SiC matrix by including nanosize diamonds in the production protocol. To fully understand the reaction mechanism and the structure of the produced nanostructured matrix, and to optimize the fabrication process we must first develop a method to characterize atomic structure of the nanosize crystals in the composite. In this work we concentrate on studies on these materials, i.e. on identification and evaluation of the atomic structure of grain surfaces/boundaries. This work will be based on our previous research on developing HPHT manufacturing of diamond composites and on novel interpretation of x-ray and neutron scattering diffractograms. During the first week, the student will learn high-pressure techniques and how to manufacture diamond composites. During the following weeks the student will produce composites at various conditions and characterize them by Raman, x-ray diffraction, TEM, and SEM techniques. All samples will be closely evaluated and for selected samples of best mechanical properties the student will evaluate crystalline sizes and strains. 
For More information: http://nanoscience.tcu.edu and http://personal.tcu.edu/~zerda

Yuri Strzhemechny, Assistant Professor of Physics
Project: Optical properties of point defects at ZnO surfaces, heterointerfaces, and nanostructures.
Advantages of zinc oxide for modern day implementations are plentiful and apparent – natural abundance of both constituent elements, wide band gap, robustness towards high-temperature and radiation, unusually high energy of exciton dissociation, favorable confluence of conditions to host room-temperature magnetism.  ZnO nanostructures reveal a remarkable variety and ease of control of morphologies.  Potential applications in spintronics, nanoengineering, photonics, and especially ultraviolet optoelectronics, feed the drive towards integration, miniaturization, and multifunctional performance of this material.  The effectiveness of such implementations strongly depends on the microscopic physical and chemical properties of zinc oxide, and in particular, on the microscopic properties of defects.   Phenomena involving ZnO surface/interface defect states by and large translate into macroscopic effects.  We will offer REU students an opportunity to investigate several cases of ZnO surfaces and interfaces – free polar or non-polar surfaces of ZnO single crystals, surfaces and near-surface vicinities of ZnO nanosize objects, as well as virtually unexplored heterojunctions on ZnO with rare earth oxides and perovskite manganites.  The students will learn a range of important and popular spectroscopic techniques such as Raman, photoluminescence, Auger and surface photovoltage as well as materials processing protocols (remote plasma treatment and thermal annealing).  Design and modification of experimental hardware and software will be encouraged during the REU collaboration.