Summary of UAB Physics Undergraduate Research Projects UAB Expo, April 18, 2008

Tammy Dencker
Mentor : Dr. Mary Ellen Zvanut
Possible Segregation of Phosphorus Doped Silicon Substrates at High Temperatures
Doping is widely utilized by the semiconductor industry to control the electrical properties of silicon substrates. In this project we study dopant segregation induced by high temperatures. Our goal is to implement preventative measures and optimization approaches to deliver semiconductor materials of the highest quality.

Andrew Gentry
Mentor: Dr. Perry Gerakines
Thermal Annealing of Cosmic Type Ices
Cosmic ices are present in interstellar and interplanetary environments. In this study thermal annealing of cosmic-type ices was carried out in the laboratory to gain insight about the influence of temperature on the chemical processes that occur in these ices. Findings may be relevant for understanding the formation of organic compounds in space.

Miller Horton
Mentor: Dr. Rakesh Kapoor
Quantitative Detection of Bovine Serum Albumin with Fiber Optic Biosensors
Fiber optic biosensors have been the subject of much research in recent years. Their utilization of evanescent waves provides a method of increases speed and sensitivity in protein detection. In this research we determined the reproducibility of a fiber optic probe and found the calibration curve of the BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) protein using the direct assay method.

Andreiy Kondratyev
Mentor: Dr. Georgyi Tsoi
Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization
Magnetic nanoparticles have been widely used for research in both the medical and industrial fields. In this study nanoparticles of La1-xSrxMnO3 were prepared using a citrate gel method. Annealing temperatures from room temperature to 350 K for various times allowed control of the average nanoparticle size.

Michael Lester
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Harrison
Trapping of Probability Density within a Potential Well through Quantum Tunneling: Effects of Potential Barrier Size and Separation
Using analytical and numerical methods to solve the 1D time-independent Schrödinger in finite square potential wells, we have identified conditions and timescales under which the probability density of a massive particle can be trapped between two potential barriers.

Eduardo Moraes
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Nordlund
Sunscreens and UV Radiation: Are People Really Protected?
Sunscreens are intended to absorb UV-A and UV-B radiation. This research compares the absorbencies of various sunscreens in magnitude over time. Obtained data is correlated with the active ingredients in the sunscreens and possible absorbance gaps in unregulated regions of the UV spectrum.

Priyal Patel
Mentor: Dr. Renato Camata
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Calcium Phosphate Coatings from Composite Hydroxyapatite/Potassium Sulfate Targets
Hydroxyapatite is an important and frequently used calcium phosphate in biomedical applications. In this project, we use pulsed laser deposition to fabricate large-grain crystalline hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium substrates for dental and orthopedic applications.

Finn Perkins
Mentor: Dr. Renato Camata
Development of Optically Active Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Immunohistochemical Applications
Calcium phosphate salts are biomimetic materials that interface with biological processes at very fundamental levels. The purpose of this research is to develop a process for efficiently doping calcium phosphates with various compounds to enable their fluorescence and use in Immunohistochemical applications.

H. Keith Roberts
Mentor: Dr. Yogesh Vohra
Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition and its Applications 
Ultra-smooth nanostructured diamond has many useful tribological properties such as ultra-low friction and high hardness that make it attractive for joint replacement components. In this study we investigate the parameters relevant to nanostructured diamond film formation by Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Jeffrey N. Durham
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Nordlund
Brownian Motion
The random movement of particles suspended in a fluid or gas caused by the bombardment of the molecules of the solution, known as Brownian motion, is studied experimentally via video data acquisition leading to a measured value of the square mean distance traveled by a particle and how it compares to theoretically predicted values.

Clayton Kelleher
Mentor: Dr. Robert Mohr
Interstellar Ice
Computational studies are carried out of how oxygen-rich interstellar ices respond to UV irradiation in the neighborhood of various young stars. Photon-induced chemical processes in similar ices may play an important role in the formation of organic molecules in interstellar ices.