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MSE Resources
Naser Al-Mufachi
Imperial College London
Summer 2005 |
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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 endeavour. 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.
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