Undergraduate Research Projects in Chemistry

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1- Sn ion beam creation and development using the OLIS facility at TRIUMF

          Prof. Corina Andreoiu and Dr. Chris Charles caa12@sfu.ca
Profs. Corina Andreoiu and Chris Charles are looking for a motivated and curious student who will develop a tin (Sn) ion beam at the Off-Line Ion Sources (OLIS) facility located at TRIUMF. Tin is element 50 in the periodic table, has 50 protons and that makes it an extra stable (magic) nucleus. Tin has the largest number of stable isotopes (10!) and this fact makes it one of the most studied isotopes. Having an intense and reliable tin beam is essential to perform fundamental nuclear structure experiments at TRIUMF. For example, we can accelerate a tin ion beam to velocities of 3-5% of the speed of light and collide it with carbon targets to study new nuclei produced in that reaction. The project will involve characterizing Sn+ emission from a dedicated oven heater inside the ion source, as a function of temperature and supporting gas bled into the ion source. The goal is to find optimal source parameters to produce beams of Sn isotopes for fundamental nuclear structure research.

2- Designing a quartz oven for multi-element beam development at TRIUMF

          Profs. Corina Andreoiu and Chris Charles caa12@sfu.ca
Profs. Corina Andreoiu and Chris Charles are looking for a motivated and curious student with an aptitude for hands-on experimental work, who will help design a quartz high-temperature oven for stable ion beam production for the Off-Line Ion Sources (OLIS) facility located at TRIUMF. This project is necessary to replace the commercially available ovens that are very expensive and can only be used for a single element, significantly reducing the cost associated with beam development. The new ovens will be used to produce stable isotope beams from nearly all elements with high intensity and reliability. The project will involve designing and building prototype ovens, testing with different stable element samples at the OLIS facility, and repeating those tasks to find an optimal oven design.

3- Photoswitchable materials

          Vance Williams vancew@sfu.ca website
Research opportunities are available for undergraduate students in CHEM 296, CHEM 396, CHEM 481, CHEM 483, CHEM 284 and summer NSERC/VPR USRA positions. Research in the Williams group focuses on soft materials such as polymers and liquid crystals, as well as materials that change their properties in response to stimuli such as light, heat or chemical species. In this project, the student will examine reversible light-induced changes in liquid crystalline materials. Students will gain hands-on experience with chemical synthesis, photochemical experiments, and a myriad of instrumental methods!

4- Bioanalytical Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence (BCAI)

          Paul Li paulli@sfu.ca website
AI is artificial intelligence, which mimic human intelligence. One application of AI in bioanalytical chemistry is on the detection of fraud in sesame oil with the help of artificial intelligence combined with chemometrics methods and chemical compounds characterization by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A part of AI is machine learning (ML), which includes principal component analysis (PCA) that is unsupervised ML. Students will learn PCA and generate results and plots using R programming.

5- Development of Nanomaterials and Coatings for Clean Energy Technologies

          Byron Gates bgates@sfu.ca website
In the Gates Research Group, there are a range of opportunities available in assisting to developing new electrocatalysts and new battery materials, and studying the performance of these materials towards achieving more active, more durable, and more sustainable solutions for clean energy technologies. The specific areas of our work include synthesis of nanomaterials, preparation of coatings, and fabrication of textured materials, and the characterization of these materials using techniques that span from electron microscopy to elemental analysis to electrochemical analyses. There are opportunities available for literature work and/or hands-on skill development. Positions include CHEM 296, 396, 481 to 484, and Summer NSERC/VPR USRAs. Contact me at bgates@sfu.ca or stop by C9026 in the Chemistry Department.

6- Establishing Safe Working Environments

          Byron Gates bgates@sfu.ca website
In the Gates Research Group, we are developing new materials and methods to assist in both assessing and maintaining safe work environments. Our research seeks to develop solutions for workplaces that span from research environments, to healthcare facilities, to manufacturing, and beyond. These projects bring together techniques in data science, statistical analysis, chemometrics, materials science, and analytical method development. There are opportunities available for literature work and/or hands-on skill development. Positions include CHEM 296, 396, 481 to 484, and Summer NSERC/VPR USRAs. Contact me at bgates@sfu.ca or stop by C9026 in the Chemistry Department.

7- Catalyst Discovery for Clean Energy Transformation

          Samira Siahrostami ssiahros@sfu.ca website
In the Siahrostami group, there are opportunities for CHEM 296, 396, 481-484, Summer NSERC/VPR USRA, and other research experiences - come and get involved with a wide range of projects involving Computational Material Design for Clean Energy. We use first-principles calculations to design catalyst materials for electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and batteries that are critical for a clean and sustainable energy society. Great opportunity to learn computer simulation of chemical processes on catalyst surfaces and learn about virtual and in-silico design of materials. Depending on the project, you will gain hands-on experience and training using a variety of amazing computational techniques, such as Atomic Simulation Environment, Materials Studio, Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package, and Quantum Espresso. For a more detailed research discussion, please contact me via email: ssiahros@sfu.ca or come see me in C9067.

8- Coordination Polymers for Materials Applications

          Daniel Leznoff dleznoff@sfu.ca website
Opportunities for CHEM 296, 396, 481-484, Summer NSERC/VPR USRA and other research experiences are available in the Leznoff group - come and get involved with a wide range of projects involving coordination polymers! Coordination polymers are multi-dimensional materials that are held together with metal-ligand bonds, which can be self-assembled – like lego pieces - from judiciously chosen building blocks, and their structures and properties tuned to target a range of applications. Areas of exploration include colour-changing (vapochromic) sensors for toxic gases; light-emitting materials; materials with unusual thermal expansion or contraction properties; highly birefringent or refractive materials for optical applications; and magnetic complexes. You will get hands-on experience and training with lots of cool characterization equipment, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, IR/Raman spectroscopy and more, depending on the project. Contact dleznoff@sfu.ca or come see me in C9061 for a more detailed research chat!

9- Highly Intense Phthalocyanine Dyes for Materials and Catalysis Applications

          Daniel Leznoff dleznoff@sfu.ca website
Opportunities for CHEM 296, 396, 481-484, Summer NSERC/VPR USRA and other research experiences are available in the Leznoff group - come and get involved with a wide range of projects involving phthalocyanines, the world's most intense dyes! Phthalocyanines also have unique redox properties are very stable. Projects in this area in the Leznoff lab (www.leznoffchemistry.ca) include metal-containing phthalocyanine (PcM) use as catalysts for CO2 electroreduction or synthesis of biodegradable polylactide plastics; organometallic chemistry with PcM from across the periodic table; preparation of rare non-blue/green PcM dyes; and harnessing the redox-active ring system for a range of applications. You will get hands-on experience and training with lots of cool characterization equipment, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-visible-NIR absorption and fluorescence, MALDI-MS and more, depending on the project. Contact dleznoff@sfu.ca or come see me in C9061 for a more detailed research chat!

10- Metal-based Anticancer Compounds

          Charles Walsby cwalsby@sfu.ca website
We are designing and synthesizing new metal complexes that selectively target and kill cancer cells. Our research is multidisciplinary, including synthesis, spectroscopy, and biological studies. My laboratory provides a welcoming and inclusive environment to learn new skills and be part of an active research group. I have positions available for CHEM 481, CHEM 483, and CHEM 484, as well as NSERC USRA applications. Volunteer positions are also very welcome!!! I will be happy to communicate directly by email, or drop by my office (C8072).

11- LC-MS Proteomics

          Bingyun Sun bingyun_sun@sfu.ca website
We use high-end HPLC and MS systems to characterize a variety of proteins sensitively and accurately for disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Students will work closely with other members in the lab on various projects. Together, the student will assist sample preparation and necessary data analysis. Qualified candidates will have opportunities to be supported for undergraduate fellowship applications and conference travel and presentations. Participants will have good opportunities to learn cutting-edge high throughput proteomics techniques, quantitative analytical skills, and applied biological knowledge. Our lab cultivates both team and independent research experiences, in which each member will interact closely and broadly to other students, and will sharpen problem solving and critical thinking abilities. Students are suggested to participate through courses such as Chem481, Chem482, Chem483, Chem484, or USRA and VPR. Other opportunities are also available via inquiry.

 

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