What a week I’ve had. I took some measurements on Monday regarding the flux of my membranes. They were consistent with each other which means my processes are sound and produce consistent samples. In the afternoon I started analyzing my data and creating a research report that I would explain at a meeting the next day with Dr. Knutson and Dr. Rankin.
Finished titania membranes
On Tuesday I worked vigorously all morning making sure my research report would be ready for my meeting in the afternoon. At my meeting I discussed the research I had done the previous week. In this research I was able to prove that I did indeed prepare a consistent titanium-dioxide membrane on an Aluminum-oxide substrate. I’ve gotten to the point in my research where, with a few more points, it is publishable. I can’t believe I’ve had the opportunity as a high school senior to work independently in a lab and create a material. Not only have I created a material but I have completed the testing to the point where a manuscript on it can be published in a materials journal.
All the time I’ve spent in the lab, creating something, studying it, and then reworking my process in order to perfect the material has payed off. At times it was frustrating, but the only way around it is to change some variables and do it again.
The rest of the week has been extremely busy. While my material is finalized more tests must be done in order to maximize the amount of applications it may be used for.
Preparing a lipid bilayer has been a big focus of Shanshan’s research, and for the second half of the week I was focusing on preparing lipids on membranes using a process called lipid enveloping. On Wednesday and Thursday I worked till about 6:30 PM preparing and measuring flux on membranes with and without lipid enveloping. I also prepared titania earlier in the day so as to not run out of samples. They’re very fragile and tend to break.
Liposome solution used for lipid enveloping
On Friday I finished taking flux measurements and had a pretty relaxing day. In the evening I went to a cookout at Dr. Knutson’s house with the rest of her and Dr. Rankin’s Phd students. On Saturday I went to Nashville with my host family, and had a very fun time. Nashville is such a busy city.
The Parthenon in Nashville, TN
On Sunday I went into Lexington and had lunch. After lunch I drove out some country roads and got the right amount of lost in horse country. It’s a pretty spectacular sight to see the never ending grassy hills and fences.
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