Dr. Zhihai Li
<b>Department: </b>Chemistry<br><b>Research Area: </b>Synthesis of semiconductor materials and their applications in energy conversion (photovoltaic or solar cells) and environmental remediation, as well as electrochemical scanning probe microscopy studies of surface, molecules, and materials.<br>
Research Focus: Dr. Li’s research is focused on the synthesis of semiconductor materials and their applications in energy conversion (photovoltaic or solar cells) and environmental remediation, as well as electrochemical scanning probe microscopy studies of surface, molecules, and materials. One of the scanning probe microscopy techniques is atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is used in Dr. Li’s lab to image electrode morphology, nanoparticle size, and geometry of RNA and DNA.
Potential Student Project: Currently, one of projects in Dr. Li’s lab is the characterization of nanomaterials and electrodes using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM is a state-of-the-art instrument that is broadly used in biology, chemistry, physical, and material science for imaging surface morphology, molecular structures, and material properties. In this project, the student will first understand the principle of AFM techniques, and then learn how to operate the AFM instrument. After the student gains some basic knowledge on how AFM works and gets familiar with AFM imaging procedure and parameters, students will use AFM to characterize nanomaterials and electrodes prepared in the lab. The student will also have a chance to image DNA or RNA or protein after the student gains certain level of imaging techniques.
Attributes/skills/background sought in undergraduate: The student participant is expected to have finished at least general chemistry I (Chem111) and received a C grade or above. Except for the good working attitude such as being responsible and careful with the fine instrumentation, the student is anticipated to have certain GenChem level knowledge and skills, such as knowing how to do calculation in terms of stoichiometry, knowing how to balance and scaled cylinder or pipette to do solution preparation.
Mentoring Plan: In this project, the student will be actively involved in (not limited to) the following activities:
- First, student will receive some tutoring materials about AFM principle to study how AFM
- The student will receive some initial AFM training by either Li or a senior student who is good at AFM technique.
- The student will obtain hands-on experience and lab skills, and get familiar with lab tools and
- At the beginning, a senior student will demonstrate how to use AFM for imaging, and the student will watch and After 5 weeks, the student will image either independently or do AFM experiments with a senior student.
- After learning process and getting familiar with the imaging procedures the student may continue developing the experimental procedure and protocol under Li’s instructions.
- Image gold electrode and solar cell electrodes surface with AFM from week 6-week 10
In addition to working in labs, the student also will participate in the group meeting, and/or meet regularly with Dr. Li to discuss experimental result or progress.
The student also has opportunities to present (or present together with other students) research outcome at BSU student symposium, or BSU CRISP summer research symposium, and local meeting such as ACS local meeting at Indianapolis, or Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) annual meeting. The student will learn how to prepare a poster for academic presentation, and how to prepare PowerPoint and give a presentation in the group meeting.
Contact: 765-285-8986, CP 409N