Naser Al-Mufachi
Imperial College London
Summer 2005




The Research

My entire research was based around a unique and highly nanoporous carbon based solid known as carbon aerogel. It is a derivative of its even lighter counter part known as silica aerogel. To summarise my entire research, I explored the possibility of plating the carbon aerogel with three common transition metals, namely nickel, iron and chromium. The idea was to observe the manner in which the plating metals coated in the carbon aerogels, especially the way in which the metals nucleated inside the nanopores, if it were possible. Another secondary objective was to investigate the possibility of taking the iron plated carbon aerogel and producing steel via carbon diffusion induced by elevated temperatures over varying time periods.

Life Outside of Research

My research aside, I did take part in numerous other activities, one of which included my favourite, the shooting range. I for one had never fired a rifle before but I made sure I took advantage of the second amendment. I also indulged in other activities such as 'two touch football,' ultimate Frisbee and the International House of Pancakes (aka IHOP, if you have been to America you will know what I mean, delicious!). However, I made it a point to make use of the gym and swimming pool facilities on a daily basis after my work hours. The above photo is of myself with a few students in one of West Lafayette’s top Japanese restaurants. In my spare time I made sure I socialised with a lot of the Purdue students staying at my halls of residence and others from around the campus who were more than generous and kind in showing me around the institute. All in all I firmly believe I benefited the utmost from this trip, because I felt the research helped me sample the life of a PhD student and hence helped a great deal in broadening my horizon. I was given the complete responsibility and control of most of my research and it helped me develop myself vastly in not just my field of materials science, but in life after my degree.

On that note, I would like to first and foremost thank, Amourers & Brassiers, for privileging me the experience of a life time to say the very least. I would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Imperial’s material department for encouraging me to take part in such an endeavor. Finally I would like to thank the members of staff and students of Purdue University for supporting me throughout my research especially Vicki Cline and Professor Youngblood.

Click here to view my summer research.