University of Hawaii Graphene Research
Mentor: Richard Ordonez
This page will be filled with each members own ideas. It will represent each members own learnings and discoveries throughout this project.
Matthew Chan:
Semester 1:
Since much of our project was assembling the pieces for our STM, much of the things I learned was not really needed. Of course, I learned what an STM is and that there are different types of microscopes that can measure on the atomic level. Some through trial and error such as mistaking a TEM and SEM for being similar to a STM. I learned how to control and how to take care of a XYZ piezo stage. I learned how to troubleshoot the microscope camera. I learned how to use google sketch up and Cura to create objects using a 3D printer. I learned how to contact companies for price quotes, when I tried to get a price quote for a z-axis positioner. I learned how to use a spectrum analyzer to determine the surface qualities of materials.
Semester 2:
So this semester I was pretty much alone for the entire semester until two 296ers jumped in around 3 weeks till the end of the semester. We finally got the STM to start working although the data still is a bit rough from all the vibrations, so we still need to work on that. Besides improving the STM and getting it working, I exhibited in the 2016 CTAHR-COE student symposium, exhibited at the CoE Banquet, and ordered some materials for our STM project.
Richie Chio:
Semester1: My first project course I learnt alot with communication. I spent alot of time working in coordination to help troubleshoot or gather information. The information I learnt that went specifically toward the project was information that supplimented my own personal knowledge. More indept information about graphene and ways to create and observe it.
Melody Macabeo:
Semester1: This is my first project as a 296 student. Within these past few weeks, I was able to learn a lot about STM and the process of collecting data to characterize graphene. Along with a partner who was also a 296 student and my mentor, we were able to 3D print a micromanipulator in order to reduce the cost of the experiment. It proved a lot harder to put together as well as a lot of sanding and machine oil for it to work. I hope we continue to improve the specs so that micromanipulators can be readily available and reduce the costs for future projects. Collecting data has also proven to be a difficult task. We are now in the process of gathering materials and improving the set up. I learned that research is very tedious and is a lot of trial and error. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.
Keanu Robles:
Semester 1: This was my second project working on graphene. Even though I have more expericnce with this project than some the others, there is still a lot that I got to learn. Mostly in terms of working with new people, and how the dynamic between various groups can vary wildly depending on each person. I originally thought that because this project was similar to the one I had done before, the methods we would use to approach the problem would be the same, but in reality, every little thing we had done was much different than anything I did previously last sememter.
Miles Whelan:
Semester 1: This is my fist project and being on my own pretty much forced me to learn new applications needed for this project. Using the fundamentals I learned from my engineering class really provided the help and guide for this project. Picking up new ways to solve the problem is what I really learned in this project.
Jason Mateo:
Semester 1: I joined this project as a 296 student. Although I started this almost halfway into the semester, I can say I did learn a lot about the research aspect of engineering. We utilized the knowledge of STM to try to characterize graphene, and this was a fresh concept I was later taught in my physics class. I learned about graphene and was able to use cool, expensive equipment such as the 3-D printer, a microscope and its camera. I was also introduced to a lot of programs such as Cura and Mikromove. Overall, I found out that research can take a while before results show, but the process of getting there takes a lot of careful data collection, critical thinking, and cost mindfulness.