Strachan Group
Our work on the surface potential of few-layer graphene films is featured as the recent cover article of the January 2009 issue of Nano Letters.
Using electrostatic force microscopy we probe the charge screening features of few-layer graphene films.
The work was performed in collaboration with S. S. Datta, E. J. Mele , and A. T. Johnson.
Crystallographic etching of few-layer graphene which we recently reported in Nano Letters was highlighted by Nature Nanotechnology.
By utilizing metallic nanoparticles, we are able to etch few-layer graphene samples along specific crystallographic directions.
This work was performed in collaboration with S. S. Datta, S. M. Khamis , and A. T. Johnson.
Strachan Group
Our group runs the outreach initiative associated with the Center for Advanced Materials at UK. We also take part in a number of other programs and events, which includes the mentoring of local Kentucky high school students in our lab. Some of these outreach activities are summarized below.
If you are interested in possible outreach opportunities with our group, please contact us.
Our group is a participant in the Experienced Based Career Education (EBCE) program. The program provides local high school students in Fayette County, Kentucky, with the opportunity to be mentored in various professional disciplines over several month periods of time. Our group supports local high school students by giving them the chance to have a hands-on experience in scientific research. We have recently mentored a number of students from this program in projects investigating computer simulations of nanoscale structures, scanning probe microscopy, and nanoscale electronics.
Our group participates in the Math, Science, and Technology Center (MSTC) at Lexington, Kentucky's Paul Laurence Dunbar High School by acting as mentors for student research projects. We are currently mentoring two students from this program who are working in our lab performing experiments and analysis in various nanoscience projects. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in working in our lab through this program.
We have been actively organizing events with local high school students to promote the physical sciences in the Kentucky region and the interaction with University of Kentucky Scientitsts. We have recently organized with the Fatemi Group one such outreach event. The event was attended by about 25 local high school juniors and seniors. The students had the opportunity to visit and learn about UK's observatory, nanoscience facilities, and electron microscopy facilities.
Our group volunteers time to support and help in the judging of local science fairs. Below is a list of several recent science fairs which we have participated in.
- Bryan Station High School Science Fair: Saturday, 7 February (2009) at Bryan Station High School located in Lexington, KY.
- Central Kentucky Regional Science and Engineering Fair: Intel-affiliated, UK sponsored science fair held at UK on Saturday March 7th (2009).
- Meeting of the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science: Saturday April 18th (2009) at UK.