CuO nanowires viewed by optical microscopy

1. REU Site: Penn State Research Experience for Undergraduates and Teachers Program in Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Materials ResearchMoses H.W. Chan, Penn State University, DMR 0648837 In 2008, the Penn State Department of Physics and Penn State MRSEC jointly hosted seventeen undergraduate students from across the nation. Eleven Penn State undergraduate physics majors (funded by a local endowment) served as ‘hosts’. Mentored by top materials researchers the students worked in the laboratory, attended weekly seminars, and attended professional development workshops. In addition, six teachers participated in all aspects of the program and transfer material science knowledge to their classroom using lesson plans developed with their peers and Penn State faculty.

2. REU Site: Penn State Research Experience for Undergraduates and Teachers Program in Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Materials ResearchMoses H.W. Chan, Penn State University, DMR 0648837 A diverse group of students (17 total with 10 minority and 10 female) and teachers (6 total with 2 minority and 4 female), participated in condensed matter and interdisciplinary materials research. The students, including 15 students from academic institutions with limited research opportunities, gained a better understanding of scientific research by participating in research topics of current interest in cutting edge laboratories. They also attend weekly seminars, machine shop training and tutorials on computer simulations. The teachers will transfer their experiences to their classroom, influencing their students and surrounding communities.

3. REU Site: Penn State Research Experience for Undergraduates and Teachers Program in Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Materials ResearchMoses H.W. Chan, Penn State University, DMR 0648837 Physics major Roshnika Fernando from Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, worked with postdoctoral fellow Dr. Ke Chen and professor Dr. X. X. Xi from the Department of Physics, Penn State University. Using dc magnetron sputtering she optimized Nb thin films deposition parameters for future research on Nb/ZrB2/Nb superconductor-normal metal-superconductor Josephson junctions. In commenting on her experience at Penn State, Roshnika said that “My experiences here have taught me the practical applications of my science education and I cannot wait to continue my future in physics."

4. REU Site: Penn State Research Experience for Undergraduates and Teachers Program in Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Materials ResearchMoses H.W. Chan, Penn State University, DMR 0648837 West Branch Area Jr./Sr. High School Science Teacher Matt Johnson worked with Dr. Peter Eklund (Penn State Department of Physics) to design, develop and delivery a laboratory-based course in microscopy to three high school students who were participating in the Upward Bound Math and Science program at Penn State in the summer of 2008. Students gained experience and an understanding of the strengths and limitations of optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopes by using them to analyze five samples. In addition, a teaching model of an atomic force microscope (AFM) was designed by modifying an XY plotter to enable high school teachers to demonstrate the operation of an actual AFM. Matt watches the “teaching AFM” measure the topography of a marble array Highly-oriented pyrolitic graphite viewed with AFM CuO nanowires viewed by optical microscopy Daisy pollen viewed by scanning electron microscopy