Examples of Research Activities
WHAT TO DO?
Come up with some activity each week that the student can help you with. Over the
course of their time with you, they should be able to see some part of your research project
fleshed out.
Here are some examples of Previous Projects:
EXAMPLE 1: SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL PROJECT
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Describe the project; go over materials and
safety for the project (MSDS).
Apply cathodes on pre-made fuel cell pellets.
Talk about electrochemistry and design of fuel
cells. Attach current collectors to the fuel cells.
Go over SOFC reactor design and gas cylinder
safety, place cell in reactor.
Describe data taken by the potentiostat, take IV
and impedance curves of a working SOFC.
Discuss the data.
EXAMPLE 2: POLYMERIC PARTICLE PROJECT
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Describe the project; go over materials and
safety for the project (MSDS). Mentee will
watch a portion of particle synthesis.
Talk about glass transition temperature. Stretch
the particles.
Discuss degradation techniques. Degrade
particles.
Image particles. Show and/or discuss other
examples of how particle properties can change
with different parameters.
EXAMPLE 3: DESIGN NEXT-GEN AIRPLANE
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Describe the project. Review different future
airplane designs.
Choose the design for analysis. Familiarize
with computer tools.
Use flow simulation tools to analysis the
aerodynamic of the airplane.
Analyze simulation data.
EXAMPLE 4: BIOFUELS FROM ALGAE BY LIQUEFACTION
Week 1
Week 2
Describe the project, discuss safety hazards
and operation of
equipment, calculate reactor loading
Load reactors, submerge in hot fluidized sand
bath
Week 3
Reaction product workup to isolate bio-oil
Week 4
Weigh dried samples, record and analyze data,
look at standard
deviations for statistical significance
EXAMPLE 5: CHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITHOUT DESTROYING THE POWER GRID
Week 1
Introduction to problem, reading
Week 2
Build a Li-ion battery charger (learn to solder!)
Week 3
Week 4
Learn about Arduino microcontrollers and use
them to control battery charger
Put it all together - use several chargers to
simulate a power system
REMEMBER:
BE A POSITIVE MENTOR AND ENCOURAGE QUESTIONS. ASSIST YOUR SKYLINE MENTEE
IN PREPARING FOR HIS /HER FINAL PRESENTATION.