2023 Research Experience Undergraduates Program

by Jaida Anekwe on October 19, 2023

 

June 6th, 2023 marked the first day of the 2023 CNF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students from across the nation converged at Cornell University, to complete the 10 week intensive research experience. Before delving into research, the REU students completed CNF’s short course in Technology & Characterization at the Nanoscale (TCN), New User Training, and tools training. 

The REU interns had the amazing opportunity to utilize CNF’s most advanced machinery both independently and with the guidance of their mentors and PI’s. These machines included the Nanoscribe GT2, Zeiss Supra SEM, Glen 1000 Resist Strip, SC4500 Even-Hour Evaporator, Keithley 4200A - IVCV Testing Station, Arradiance ALD Gemstar-6, MOS Metal Anneal 3 - C1, Nanoimprint NX-2500, P7 Profilometer, Oxford 81/82, MVD100, AFM, SEM, to list a few.

The interns concluded their program with 2023 CNF REU Convocation where they were able to present their findings to their research groups, CNF staff, PIs, and mentors. This year’s research topics ranged from applications of wafer scale fabrication, to nanoimprint processes to etching of topological metals. After convocation, interns had the opportunity to present their research live at the NNCI REU Convocation in Montana. The 2023 REU class was led by program coordinator, Ms. Melanie Claire Melanie. 

 

“I've really enjoyed spending my time this summer at Cornell and learning

about nanotechnology in advanced materials. Of all the internships I've

had as an undergrad, this was by far the best one and I wish it could've

been a little longer than just 10 weeks. I never once imagined that

research would be this fun. I was torn between industry and grad school

after my undergrad, now I plan to apply for graduate school to further

my studies and this is all thanks to you all.”

-Astrid Dzotcha Kengne

 

 

 

 

 

A full list of REU participants and their corresponding topics, PIs, mentors, and  can be found here:

SAMANTHA AVERITT

Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley

CNF REU MENTOR 1: Roberto Ricardo Panepucci 

CNF REU MENTOR 2: Giovanni Sartorello 

CNF REU PROJECT: NanoScribe Advanced Patterning Techniques for Two-Photon 2D and 3D Structures

 

PAUL BLOOM

Optical Engineering, University of Rochester

CNF REU PI: Hari P Nair 

CNF REU MENTOR: Bilal Azhar

CNF REU STAFF HOST: Mac McMurdy 

CNF REU PROJECT: Electrical Interconnects Based on Delafossite Thin Films

 

ASTRID DZOTCHA KENGNE

Electrical Engineering, Morgan State University

CNF REU PI: Judy Cha 

CNF REU MENTORS: Quynh Sam <qps2@cornell.edu>, Gangtae Jin 

CNF REU STAFF HOST: Alan Bleier 

CNF REU PROJECT: Nanomolding of Topological Materials

 

DANIEL HARRISON

Electrical Engineering, Morgan State University

CNF REU PI: Debdeep Jena 

CNF REU MENTOR 1: Wenwen Zhao

CNF REU STAFF HOST: Aaron Windsor 

CNF REU PROJECT: Monolithic Integration of Acoustic Resonators and High-Electron-Mobility-Transistors Utilizing Aluminum Nitride Platform

 

BRYAN KIM

Chemistry, UC Berkeley

CNF REU PI: Nicholas Lawrence Abbott

CNF REU MENTORS: Hanyu Alice Zhang, Ayushi Tripathi 

CNF REU STAFF HOST: Tom Pennell 

CNF REU PROJECT: Investigation of Pd-Au Alloys for Sensing and Actuation

 

NAOMI NARANJO

Engineering, Cornell University

CNF REU PI: Itai Cohen 

CNF REU MENTORS: Zexi Liang <zl467@cornell.edu>, Melody Xuan Lim

CNF REU STAFF HOST: Garry Bordonaro 

CNF REU PROJECT: Wafer-Scale Fabrication of Single-Domain Magnetic Nanostructures

 

AMARA TADDEO

Chemistry, Allegheny College

CNF REU MENTOR 1: Roberto Ricardo Panepucci 

CNF REU MENTOR 2: Xinwei Wu

CNF REU PROJECT: Nanoimprint Process Optimization for Overlay and Fidelity