The Johns Hopkins University

Lincoln East High School

Undergraduate Student at Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Currently working with Dr. Kevin Hemker, in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. at JHU. Current project uses molecular dynamics (LAMMPS) to study Ni alloys - funded by Provost's Undergraduate Research Award.

Prior project focused on the fused filament fabrication process as part of NSF DMREF grant. Lab work included: polishing samples using an Allied High-Prep polishing wheel, using an optical microscope to image samples, and using the ImageJ software to perform image analysis. Prior to that, was involved in machining parts necessary to repair the lab furnace system.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Assisted in the administration of EN.530.232 Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics Lab with Prof. Steven Marra. Course is focused on providing an undergraduate-level experience in thermodynamics concepts/experiments and proper technical writing practices. Responsibilities include taking attendance of lectures, managing questions during lectures, and grading student work (lab reports and a design project).

Teaching Assistant

Worked with Dr. Igor Kaganovich on modeling boron deposition of Plasma Facing Components (PFCs) in plasma/fusion reactors. Simulations were conducted using the LAMMPS software. Attended two-week course hosted by PPPL about both the fundamentals and applications of plasma physics.

Work from this project presented at the November 2020 APS - Division of Plasma Physics meeting.

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

SULI Program Participant

Assisted in the instruction of EN.500.114 Gateway Computing: MATLAB, an introductory-level course in MATLAB, along with instructors Prof. Michael Falk and Prof. David Kraemer. Primary duties included grading quizzes and projects, as well as providing guidance and consultation for students on their project work.

Course Assistant

Worked with Dr. Aaron Catledge on synthesizing tantalum borides via Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (MPCVD). Personally used the nanoindentation machine to characterize samples, in addition to analyzing data produced from the following techniques: X-Ray Diffraction, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy. Designed and wrote a code in MATLAB to analyze the in-situ temperature and optical emission spectroscopy data collected during experiments. As part of REU project, created 10-page research paper on findings, along with PowerPoint Presentation and poster.

Research published in Journal of Materials Research - "A Diffusion Approach for Plasma Synthesis of Superhard Tantalum Borides"

Work from this project presented at 2021 National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 2021 Meeting.

Research funded by NASA - Alabama Space Grant Consortium REU award.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Summer REU Student

Researched the synthesis and application of multi-layer and single-layer graphene in the lab of Dr. Qin Zhou as part of the Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience internship program in summers of 2016 and 2017. Topics explored during research include: 2D materials, thin films, chemical vapor deposition processes, and van der Waals heterostructures. Also was involved in program outreach efforts to area science teachers.

Aaditya Rau