The Andlinger Center is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of research funds from the Peter B. Lewis Fund for Student Innovation in Energy and the Environment. This competitive funding supports undergraduate research on energy- and environment-related projects, particularly for field work and laboratory research. The recipients will spend eight weeks this summer working under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The abstracts below describe how the recipients’ research topics are aimed at providing practical solutions for energy- and environment-related challenges.

• Christina M. Chang ’12 (Faculty Advisor – John Groves, Chemistry)
  Abstract: The water disinfectant chlorine dioxide can be generated catalytically by the manganese porphyrin MnTDMImP. This project aims to improve this reaction to provide a safer, greener alternative to existing chlorine dioxide preparation techniques, and to enhance our understanding of oxomanganese compounds, which are potential catalysts applicable to a variety of energy technologies.
• Jingkang Gao ’13 (Faculty Advisors – James Smith and Elie Bou-Zeid, Civil and Environmental Engineering)
  Abstract: The Sensor Network over Princeton project utilizes a distributed sensor network to collect data to contribute to the Princeton Sustainability Initiative in the fields of energy, water, and carbon. The project entails establishing a wireless sensor network over the campus and building innovative trace-gas sensors that will be integrated into the network.
• Emmeline Kao ’12 (Faculty Advisor – Craig Arnold, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
  Abstract: Magnesium ion batteries are an attractive future battery and energy storage technology but pose significant problems in intercalation at the cathode. We seek to take steps towards developing and analyzing new intercalation materials, using Chevrel phase materials and altering their chemical structures through solution-processed chalcogenides.
• Androniki Tsakiridou ’12 (Faculty Advisor – Winston Soboyejo, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
  Abstract: This project will involve studies of organic electronic materials, and more specifically materials used for solar energy cells such as P3HT:PDMS and MEH:PPV. Their mechanical properties will be determined through nano-indentation testing methods. Tension and compression deformation models will be constructed to assess the solar cells’ flexibility and durability profiles in non-ideal environments.
• Bowen Zhou ’12 (Faculty Advisor – Mark Brynildsen, Chemical and Biological Engineering)
  Abstract: Biofilms on transport ship hulls present a drag penalty that reduces engine efficiency, increasing fuel consumption. We wish to investigate pathway regulation of biofilm formation in order to identify cellular targets that allow non-lethal, environmentally friendly disruption of biofilm formation.