Brian William Goodfellow
Department of Chemical Engineering
Advisor: Brian Korgel
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2006
IGERT Project Focus: Development of Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 (CIGS) nanocrystal-based photovoltaics
Alexander Ako Khajetoorians
Department of Physics
Advisor: Chih-Kang Shih; Co-Advisor: Allan Macdonald
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2006
IGERT Project Focus: STM/STS of Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors and III-V interfaces
Alfred Kwon-Hoon Lee
Department of Physics
Advisor: Alex de Lozanne
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2006
IGERT Project Focus: My research involves the study of complex metal oxides using low temperature AFM and STM. In particular, we are interested in observing magnetic and electric domain structure and phase transitions through varying temperatures and fields using our home built multi-mode AFM. Our UHV STM has also been fruitful in investigating the electronic structure of these materials at low temperatures.
Han-Jong Chia
Department of Physics
Advisor: John Markert
First IGERT Semester: Spring 2007
IGERT Project Focus: I received a BA in economics and physics at Grinnell College and am currently pursuing a PhD in physics at the University of Texas at Austin. My research, under the guidance of Professor John Markert, is developing magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) to study the properties of thin films. MRFM is a scanning probe microscopy technique that combines the cantilever based detection of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and pulsed magnetic fields of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The synthesis of these two techniques yields nanometer scale spin resolution of various materials. I will use MRFM to obtain 3D spin images and relaxation times of organic and inorganic electronic materials. Down the road I intend to perform single nuclear spin detection feasibility studies by implementing high sensitivity cantilevers, novel forms of active feedback control, and millikelvin temperatures.
Shannon Doane Lewis
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor: Ananth Dodabalapur
First IGERT Semester: Spring 2007
IGERT Project Focus: Shannon Doane Lewis is a third year graduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Solid State Electronics). She works for Professor Ananth Dodabalapur in the area of integrated organic and inorganic field effect transistors for chemical vapor sensing. She graduated from the California Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2005.
Robert Alan May
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Advisor: Keith Stevenson
First IGERT Semester: Spring 2007
IGERT Project Focus:
Benjamin Spivey
Department of Chemical Engineering
Advisor: John Ekerdt; Co-Advisor: Thomas Edgar
First IGERT Semester: Spring 2007
IGERT Project Focus: My research project is focused on the growth of semiconducting vertical nanowires for use as chemical sensors. Currently, we have an APCVD system that has proven successful in growing vertical nanowires. Further research is expected to involve modeling the nanowire growth process, improving process control, and developing the nanowire pattern into an electrical sensing device.
Neliza León
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Advisor: Alex de Lozanne
First IGERT Semester: Summer 2007
IGERT Project Focus:
Daniel Birt
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Advisor: Elaine Li
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2007
IGERT Project Focus:
Justin Harris
Department of Chemical Engineering
Advisor: Brian Korgel
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2007
IGERT Project Focus:
Michael Ramon
Department of Electrical Engineering
Advisor: Sanjay Banerjee; Co-Advisor: Miguel Yacaman
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2007
IGERT Project Focus:
Daniel Ratchford
Department of Physics
Advisor: Elaine Li
First IGERT Semester: Fall 2007
IGERT Project Focus: In our lab, we study the quantum dynamics of composite nanostructures using a variety of optical spectroscopy techniques (e.g. micro-PL, pump and probe, and 2D Fourier transform).  Self-assembled composite materials allow for the design of unique materials with integrated and tunable properties.  Because of complicated interactions between components, the properties of the composite material may not be derived from the properties of the individual components.   A basic understanding of the quantum mechanics will aid in the design of new and improved structures.  Currently, we are studying a bio-conjugated semiconductor and metallic nanostructure focusing on how exciton and plasmon interactions affect its optical properties.