Student Research

Physics majors are encouraged to participate in our research programs. This participation often leads to opportunities to make presentations at research conferences as well as to co-author articles for publication in refereed research journals. Most importantly, we believe, is that this experience is extremely useful for promoting the careers of future scientists, teachers, engineers, doctors, and the careers of the many other professions pursued by our graduating students.

 

Each summer, several research fellowships are available to students. Typically, Fellows are awarded a stipend of $3000 for 10 weeks of research during the summer. Along with the stipend, a modest equipment and supplies budget of $500 is also available to those engaged in experimental work.

 

Summer 2007 Undergraduate Research Projects
  • STM Topography and Spectroscopy of TiSe2 and Mn0.05TiSe2 Single Crystals, Brett Gamb (T. Kidd, advisor)
  • Unexpected Mobility and Diffusion of Gold on TiSe2, Chris Massina (T. Kidd, advisor)
  • Determination of Critical Exponents for the Paramagnetic to Ferromagnetic Transition in Melt-Spun Gd0.946Fe0.054, Nick Jensen (P. Shand, advisor)
  • Noncontact Determination of Surface Tension in a Small Fluid Sample by Laser Interferometry, Dan Eivins & Craig Pawlak (F. Behroozi, advisor)
  • On the Behavior of C60 Fullerenes Deposited onto Graphite: Low-Energy Electron Diffraction and Molecular Dynamics Studies, Matt Karl (M. Roth, advisor)
  • Numerical Study of Unified Models for an Inflationary Universe and a Present Accelerating Universe, Gary Yost (T. Yasuda, advisor)
  • Studying Student Learning in Lens Imaging Experiments, Polina Skietachenko (J. Morgan & D. Olson, advisors)
  • Mass Change of Silver Halide Holographic Gratings during Chemical Processing, Shawn Breuklander (D Olson, advisor)
  • Numerical Simulations of Blood Flow and Thin Films, Eddie Maldonado (M. Roth, advisor)
Summer 2006 Undergraduate Research Projects
  • The Magnetic Properties of Disordered Rare-Earth Nanostructures, Justin Bohnet (P. Shand, advisor)
  • Theta Modulation and the House Diffraction Plate, Shawn Breuklander (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Parallel Computer Simulations of Hydrocarbons Physisorbed onto a Graphite Substrate, Matt Connolly (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Simulating Wind Velocity and Turbulence Using MPM Simulations, James Dean (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Synthesis and Magnetic Characterization of a II-V Diluted MagneticSemiconductor: Cd1-xMnxSb, Jenah Harris (P. Shand and L. Strauss, advisors)

  • Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Semiconductor Interfaces, Jon Lamb (T. Kidd, advisor)

  • Celestial Body Formations Due to Celestial Collisions, Chris Massina (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Detection of Nanoscale Vibration of Solid Surface by Laser Interferometry, Craig Pawlak (F. Behroozi, advisor)

Summer 2005 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • Atomistic Computer Simulations of Projectile Impact on Biological Systems, Matt Connolly (M. Roth, advisor)

  • The Calming Effect of Oil on Capillary Waves: Measurement of the Extinction Length by Laser Interferometry, Kimberly Cordray (F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • The Calming Effect of Oil on Capillary Waves: Measurement of the Wave Energy Dissipation by Laser Interferometry, William Griffin (F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • Optical Measurements Using a Stabilized Single Mode Laser, Cody L. Law (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Quantitative Study of Double Holographic Lens Fringes, Charles E. Pelton III (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Ion Beam Spectroscopy and Quantum Approximation Techniques to Study Alloying at Metal-Metal Interfaces, Cary Pint (REU Montana State University)

Summer 2004 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • Gravitational waves: Their spacetime propagation and detection strategies, William Griffin (C. Chancey, advisor)

  • Theta modulation: Holographic gratings for optical image processing, Natalia Ksenofontova (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Parallel molecular-dynamics computer simulations of the phases and phase transitions of submonolayer hexane physisorbed onto the basal plane of graphite, Cary Pint (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Endohedral fullerene complexes as an alternative to radioisotope dating: Deterministic computer simulations, Bryce Suchy (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Computational study of a nanostructured magnetic system, Kevin Twedt (P. Shand, dvisor)

Summer 2003 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • Modeling the activation mechanism of sodium channels in neurons, Ryan Collins (C. Chancey, advisor)

  • Investigating the effectiveness of the professional development of high school teachers on their learning and their students' learning and applying the results to develop innovative physics curriculum, Andrea Conley (L. Escalada, advisor)

  • Modeling conductive and capacitive properties of lipid bilayer membranes, Jason Djuren (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Volume holography for color control in fiber optics and display holography, Kimberly Kirchner (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Determination of surface tension from dispersion data on capillary waves, Adam Perkins (F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • Molecular dynamics computer simulations of novel phase transitions and behavior of alkanes physisorbed onto nanotubes, Ryan Sanger (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Computer modeling of superconductivity, Tom Slife (J. Deisz, advisor)

  • Investigation of the magnetic behavior of mechanically milled GdAl2, Chris Stark (P. Shand, advisor)

  • Theoretical neuroscience: Modeling the activation mechanism of potassium channels in neurons, Kevin Twedt (C. Chancey, advisor)

  • Volume holography for data storage, Victoria Zhukova (D. Olson, advisor)

Summer 2002 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • Fabrication and characterization of non-linear photorefractive holographic film, Olga Brusova (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Computational quantum mechanics/non-contact viscosity determination, Wes Even (M. Roth and F. Behroozi, advisors)

  • Numerical exploration of fluids flowing around objects of various shapes with random roughness introduced to the shape to explore the onset of turbulent flow, Jane Mesentseva (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Control, measurement, and application of laser coherence length in a gas and a diode laser, Aaron Rueter (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Computational quantum mechanics/non-contact viscosity determination, Justin Smith (M. Roth and F. Behroozi, advisors)

  • Spin-glass behavior of mechanically milled GdAl2, Chris Stark (P. Shand, advisor)

Summer 2001 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • An investigation on determining effective strategies in addressing student preconceptions in physics, Ekaterina Chtchourova (R. Unruh & L. Escalada, advisors)

  • Collision based planetary formation, Wesley Even (M. Roth, advisor)

  • Dispersion of capillary waves in binary fluids: Relation between surface tension and density gradient, Justin Smith (F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • Developing and analyzing physics materials that utilize PRISMS pedagogy, Nora Taylor (L. Escalada & R. Unruh, advisors)

  • AC susceptibility of mechanically-milled GdAl2, Cody Wilson (P. Shand, advisor)

Summer 2000 Undergraduate Research Projects

  • Analysis of the Effect of Disorder and Interactions in 2d Superconductors, Benjamin Buhrow (J. Deisz, advisor)

  • Bulk Viscosity of Binary Fluids, Daniel Eivins ( F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • Factors Contributing to Student Success In Introductory Physics, Carl Gross (M. Thoresen, advisor)

  • Asymmetrical properties of a vibrating wire and their effect, Andrew Morrison (R. Hanson, advisor)

  • Development of a CCD Camera System for Use in Holographic Character Recognition And Surface Measurement, Preston Podaril (D. Olson, advisor)

  • Bulk Viscosity vs. Surface Viscosity of Binary Fluids, Noah Podolefsky (F. Behroozi, advisor)

  • Internship at John Deere Product Engineering Center, Julia Moeller (P. Shand, advisor)
 
Maintained by UNI Physics Department
Last Updated: February 7, 2008