2018 News and Updates
August 9, 2018
REU and RET participants held a Poster Session at the BU Photonics Center, where they presented their research from this summer.
August 8, 2018
REU participants were recognized at the Certificate Ceremony in BU Photonics Center.
July 27, 2018 / August 3, 2018
REU and RET participants collaborated on the Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterization Workshop. The first part of the workshop was synthesizing spherical gold nanoparticles and gold nanorods. A week later, they observed the samples and characterized their results.
July 25, 2018
REU students were exposed to the Graduate programs that Boston University offers for Masters and PhD. Neurophotonics, Biostatics, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, CELL-MET, and Biology were some of the departments that were presented at this event. Through its NSF REU program, BU encourages students to pursue a higher degree as they are working towards their bachelor’s degree. Helen Fawcett, Gary Bensons, and Thomas Gilmore emphasized the importance for college students to think ahead and research what areas of focus that might be of interest to them. They also suggested looking into financial resources that can support this graduate stage for any present college student.
July 23, 2018
Lionel (a CELL-MET visitor from the University of Michigan) and Andres & Andrew (CELL-MET visitors from Florida International University) toured labs in the Photonics Center and CILSE. Several REU students were working in their labs and able to present a hands-on demonstration of the projects they have been working on this summer.
July 5, 2018
Students emerged into a new whole world which was Nanotechnology. Rachael Jayne and Victoria Wiedorn assisted REU students teaching them about 3D laser lithography system, Photonic Professional GT by Nanoscribe sets 3D microprinting and maskless lithography. Rachel printed several structures which were all around 100-300 um in diameter and less than 300 um tall. In combination with the software package, the system is embedded best along the 3D printing workflow and offers a high degree of automation for direct manufacturing. In addition, the Photonic Professional GT allows for the fabrication of high-resolution photomasks and other direct write applications.
After this session, students went to observe the 3D laser structures using the SEM (Scan Electron Microscope). The SEM is a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface with a focused beam of electrons. The ability to be able to observe structures of the size of a human hair is what amazed every student during the session.
July 2, 2018
The REU students group had the opportunities to present and introduce their research projects to the faculties and mentors.
June 28, 2018
Another REU students group had a tour at the BU Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC).
June 27, 2018
Today the Photonics Center community was invited to enjoy an afternoon ice cream social outside the building. The REU students welcomed the energy boost before a focused afternoon of work in the labs.
June 26, 2018
REU students had a tour at the BU Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC). Kara Mogensen, the supervisor of this lab, provided details about the 3D prototyping and additive manufacturing tools that this center has. Also, Kara demonstrated fabrication facilities, materials testing, project management software, 3-D printers, robotics and laser processing equipment. The best part was when the students had the opportunity to get 3D printed their designs and took those new sculptures with them.
June 21, 2018
Another group of students from NSF REU donned full safety regalia to work on the Deposition and Lift Off processes. Check out their amazing works!
June 20, 2018
Antonio and Ivanna were up on the roof adjusting the mirror for the diffraction grating on the 7th floor with Dr. Bifano.
June 19, 2018
Students from NSF REU donned full safety regalia to work on the Deposition and Lift Off processes. The Deposition process was performed using the CHA Evaporator System. The students coated their wafers from the week before with one layer of Titanium and then Gold. Then the Lift Off process took place. The silicon wafer was placed into a biker with acetone and using a sonicator, the gold was removed from the desired areas and leave only the design chosen by the students.
June 13, 2018
This evening, the REU students attended a poster session in the Photonics Center, focusing on the collaborative efforts of the NSF REU and RET programs here at Boston University.
June 12, 2018
The first group of REU students had the opportunity to experience photolithography at the optoelectronic processing facility in the Photonics Center.
June 10, 2018
On Sunday, the REU students, led by Cell-Met faculty Helen Fawcett, walked along the Freedom Trail to experience the significance of the Greater Boston area to the formation of the United States of America in the late 1700s.
June 5, 2018
The students from NSF REU participated in a takeoff session in the Photonics’ Teleconference Center led by Brenda Hugot. They learned the overview of the REU program, responsibilities, challenges, and outcomes. Later in the day, they spoke with faculties and their grad student mentors. An OPF safety training and laser safety training were also conducted by faculties Paul Mak and John Kurkomelis.
