Alas, perhaps it is time to conclude this series of posts . We have moved on after the research-shadowing programme, which was a great event to keep ourselves preoccupied over the December holidays. Indeed, much has been learnt throughout this course. Both Leon and I have the final hurdle to clear( which is the A levels)  this year before we decide whether we would pursue the field of Material Science as our interest .

Of course, much has been anticipated about the outcome of the competition , which was already released much earlier on :

We have won the competition !

 

I would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support in this blog , which may come from simple gestures such as visiting, liking , commenting on as well as to publicise this page on behalf of us  .  Nonetheless, it is not the award which was what we have aimed for at the end of the programme, but the exposure which we have gained from. We felt honoured by the support which each and every one of you is willing to provide us as well.

 

While the mundane school life goes on for us, we are glad to know that our mentor's paper has been featured in "We can grow graphene. But graphene oxide?" on Nanowerk homepage: http://www.nanowerk.com

 

I would like to congratulate him for this accomplishment. Also , I wish him further success in his pursuit for the Ph.D degree .

 

Thank you !

 

-Chun Hwee (AJC) 11/3/2013

Day 10 - The Final Day

Today was our very last day in the MSE Research Shadowing Program, and the last day we would be attached to our awesome mentor, Jing Feng! Today, we repeated the same experiment, as more GO chips had to be prepared for future experiments. We learned that this GO is the most important component in the making of the biosensor. The process was of similarity to the two days before, where purging had to be done before starting the experiment.

Cleaning the apparatus~

Preparation~

Sliding the GO Chips~

All set and ready~

After starting the process, we proceeded to have our last lunch with our mentor~ It was kind of him to have treated us desserts!

Yumyum~

After that, we made our way back to MSE to collect our Certificates of Participation~
The day ended with us heading back to the Clean room to finish up the CVD experiment, and also visiting another Clean Room, where white light is not used so as to avoid the different spectrum of lights. Below are some photos!

Gas Cylinder Room~

Argon Gas~

FLAMMABLE and EXPLOSIVE!

Gas Leak Detection System~

(Should there be any gas leak, the system will sound an alarm)

Dangerous Acid! HF!

(It will burn immediately when in contact with skin, but the effect will show the next day)

Lab Tech Karis~

John Ho & Jing Feng~

The two weeks at the attachment program widened our perspective, knowledge and understanding of research. We also learned the meaning of conducting a research, which can even last a few years. The hardwork that a researcher must put in, the patience that the researcher must possess, and the will to never give up. These are what helps a researcher achieve his goals, to bring science and technology to the next level, to make Singapore a better place.

Through the two weeks here, our group has met countless people, and even made friends with them. Although they might not remember us, but we would still like to thank them for hospitality and help that they have given us. .

Prof. Alfred Tok, Prof. Subbu, Prof. Tan Lay Poh, Ng Li Zhen (For organising this program)
Dr Derrick Fam (GoodFriend@Symposium)
Dr Zviad (XRD@FACTS)
Irene Heng (FACTS)
Yan Bing (Certificate)
John Ho (SEM)
Teddy (Post Grad)
Chen Hu (Post Grad)
Ee Ling (Post Grad)
Sun Cheng (CVD in-charge)
Dr Wen Bing
Dr Derrick Ang
Tan Yong Kwang (Asst. Lab Manager)
Karis (Lab Tech@RTP)
Boon Seng (Espace)
Joanne Chee (Espace)
Dr Su (Fellow Mentor)
Mr Jeffrey Toh (AJC Teacher)
Ms Valerie Tan (PJC Teacher)

AND LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT THE LEAST!
OUR COOLEST AND FUNNIEST MENTOR...
HUANG JING FENG!!!

Without any of you, the journey we had would not have been this exciting and fulfilling. We thank you all with utmost gratitude, for giving us this chance to experience research first-hand.
Thank you!

-ChunHwee & LeonLim
-graphene4life

Day 9 - Back to the Clean Room

For today, we went back to the Clean Room to repeat the experiment using the CVD. As the project focuses on using GO Chips, we had to prepare more than one batch/set of samples. By the time we reached, Jing Feng was already preparing the set-up for the second batch, and since the experiment requires purging before we begin, we spent sometime looking around and using the computer to do some light researching and reading up.

So hardworking~

After the purging process, ensured that every part of the set-up was secured and proper, before starting the official experiment~

The reason why we always place the GO chips at the centre of the tube is because the actual heat is being focused in that area. Therefore, if we were to place it too much too the side, the heat experienced by the chips may not be uniform and accurate.

In addition, the ends have to be tightly secured, as the gas being passed through contains hydrogen gas and ethanol. If there is a gas leak, the intense heat by the CVD machine might cause the gases to react and cause an explosion!

Ethanol + Argon Gas + Hydrogen

GO Chips must be placed here~

Graphene Oxide Chips~

Sealed tightly~

We then left for lunch as the whole process would take up two hours! For today, we went back to Canteen B, where each of us had two servings of meal~

Our Second Serving of Lunch!!

When we returned to the Clean Room, there was a Lab Inspection session on going. This is where inspection and safety officers would carry out scheduled inspections at the various labs to ensure that safety is not compromised in the lab. 

Lab Inspection~

After that, two hours was over, and we had to allow the CVD to cool from 900+ degree celcius to approximately 100+ degree celcius before opening the furnace. This was to ensure that when we opened the machine, the immense heat does not trigger the fire system in the lab. Finally, we had two batches of GO Chips done!

GO Chips Before CVD (Left)

First Batch (Mid)

Second Batch (Right)

After that, it took us quite awhile to clear up, and we had to leave soon as Jing Feng had a meeting soon.

While clearing up, we noticed something that happened during the process of using the CVD. One of the tripod holder tightener had melted partly due to the immense heat from previous experiments! Imagine what will our fingers be if we touch 900 degree celcius!

Check out the effect of the intense heat!

Today was our second last day under the Research Shadowing Program. Although we may be happy that it was ending soon, there's still the feeling of sadness as our journey at NTU was ending. This meant that its the end of using high-tech apparatus, seeing cool labs, and most importantly, meeting awesome people!

Rmb to check back for our last post on the final day of our experience at NTU!

Cheers~

-graphene4life

Day 8- Precise and Intense Heat

Today, we viewed the graphene sample under a Scanning Electron Microscope ( SEM) , which was prepared yesterday on the functionalised silicon chip. It was the first time that we have seen how an electron microscope is operated and the program that runs it , therefore it expands our knowledge of microscopy . We learnt that a beam of electrons will be fired onto the samples from the electron gun positioned directly above , such that a black-and-white image is shown for analysis.

Electron microscope ( at the left)

Viewing the image captured by the SEM on screen

The program for the SEM 

The dials and buttons for controlling mechanical parts of the SEM 

The records of the observation for the 2 hour session

Use the equipment with caution!

After that, we went for a break before proceeding to the Clean Room, which stimulates the kind of environment in the Semiconductor manufacturing industry, in which the samples are sensitive to dust and foreign particles. Therefore, there is a stringent code of conduct for our attire when we wanted to go into the room for heating the chips at a high temperature. We have to wear protective smocks, hair net , gloves, face mask as well as shoe covering.

The Cleanroom which we have visited 

The shelf where the accessories are collected

Before                                                                           After 

In the Clean Room 

Pre-heating the tube in progress

The furnace heating up ...

HOT!!! 

The chips in the tube

Heating up the chips 

Notice how high the temperature( in degree Celsius) can get !

Top temp. : Actual

Bottom temp. : Based on settings 

Mixture of argon and ethanol vapor ( the liquid ethanol vapourises) passing through the tube

Carbon residue after heating

Well, after the chips have been heated, these will be observed under the SEM once again to obtain more images for analysis . From here, we have decided to call it a day .

Once again , here's another trivial question of the day !

What is the synonym of 'Pyrophoric' ?

 

The answer can be found within this poster :

The Globally Harmonised System ( GHS) shows the pictograms of the risks that we might face in a laboratory , some of which we are most familiar with would be : Corrosive, Flammable and Toxic .

In order not to get harmed , there is a need for us to understand what are the risks involved in every task that we do ( for e.g : mixing a strong acid with water, which may cause an explosion) and to plan accordingly . Safety is indeed a virtue in the field of research , and that has been widely advocated by NTU alone.