Freshman Honors Research Lab

In addition to providing research opportunities for a number of upper-level undergraduate students, the Knappenberger research group has developed research projects appropriate for freshman-level honors students. Students gain laboratory training by preparing spin-coated nanoparticle films. These films are prepared using a home-built spin coating system. During this one-semester project, students gain important skills in areas necessary for experimental research, including: basic electronics, wet-chemistry sample preparation techniques, optical spectroscopy (absorption and fluorescence) and data analysis. During the Spring 2011 semester, two FSU undergraduates participated in the project, Jesse Mocha and Sarah Razek. Jesse and Sarah will present their work in a local poster session. The pictures shown below were taken during their time in our laboratory.