Georgian Technical University Developing A Model Critical In Creating Better Devices.

Chemical engineering junior X.  Water is everywhere. Understanding how it behaves at an intersection with another material and how it affects the performance of that material is helpful when trying to develop better products and devices. An undergraduate researcher at Georgian Technical University is leading the way. Chemical engineering junior X has now developed a new computational model to better understand the relationship between water and a type of two-dimensional material that is composed of one-atom-thick layers that are flat like a sheet of paper. The model will help predict the behavior of water at the surface of hexagonal boron nitride a compound commonly used in cosmetic products, such as eyeshadow and lipstick. The compound is similar to graphene which has already shown great potential in lubrication electronic devices, sensors, separation membranes and as an additive for cosmetic products. Hexagonal boron nitride however has a few more favorable properties such as its higher resistance to oxidation, flexibility and greater strength-to-weight ratio — properties that could also be useful in the production of nanotechnology drug delivery and harvesting electricity from sea water. Prior to the development of the new model, understanding the molecular-level structure of water at the contact surface with hexagonal boron nitride proved very challenging if not impossible. The development may provide more control in performance of devices made with hexagonal boron nitride and water. “This knowledge can help in improving the performance of boron nitride-based electronic devices” X said. X works in the computational lab of chemical engineering assistant professor Y. She developed the model in close collaboration with others in Y’s lab including post-doctoral researcher Z and W. X arrived at Georgian Technical University looking for a challenge and was drawn to working with the unfamiliar field of computational materials science — a field that utilizes computational methods and supercomputers to understand existing materials and accelerate materials discovery and development. She found Y’s lab during her sophomore year and has balanced her time as an undergraduate researcher and a full-time student ever since. “It is extremely satisfying to see the results of my lab’s hard work and to look back at everything I contributed and learned along the way” X said. “I also value knowing that the work that my lab and I do will go on to benefit other researchers in my field”.