Burson Lab Positions
Positions for Hamilton undergraduate students:
Interested students should talk to me (Prof. Burson) directly about their interests and ask about getting involved! There are no pre-requisites to join the lab, only interest, enthusiasm, and an eagerness to learn. Check out the specific project descriptions below and the ways to join the lab (and their respective timelines):
1. Semester Research Experience - PHYS 298
About: The PHYS 298 research experience credit (0.25 Cr/NCr course) is an opportunity to gain research experience and develop practical research skills in the Burson lab. PHYS 298 students typically partner with seniors as they puruse their thesis work or work on a group research project. PHYS 298 is good introduction to the lab and a valuable precursor for summer research or senior thesis. The specific opportunities and number of PHYS 298 positions vary each semester and interested students should talk to me directly.
Timeline: Interested students should contact Professor Burson during or before the course registration period in the preceeding semester.
2. Summer Research Internships
About: Summer Research Internships are typically full-time paid positions lasting 6-10 weeks during the summer months. These may be on-campus or off-campus (with my collaborators), depending on the summer.
Timeline: Positions are advertised in January/February at the physics summer research session. Offers are extended sometime during the Spring semester. Preference may be given to students with previous experience in the Burson lab (e.g. PHYS 298).
3. Senior Thesis - PHYS 550
About: PHYS 550 is a required capstone experience for every physics major. It's a lot of work, a lot of learning, and a lot of fun. It is also an opportunity to develop skills for graduate school and physics careers. One of the best ways to learn about doing senior thesis in the Burson Lab is to contact current seniors in the lab and to attend one (or several!) of their thesis talks. Seniors have the opportunity to work with and mentor a PHYS 298 student.
Timeline: I encourage you to talk to me during or before the Spring semester of your junior year. When spots are limited, preference may be given to those with previous experience in the Burson lab (summer internships or PHYS 298).
Current Projects
Organic Photovoltaics
Organic molecules offer a cheap, flexible alternative to traditional silicon-based photovoltaics. This project seeks to understand the relationship between the spatially inhomogeneous structure of these devices and their efficiencies. In order to target the electronic impact of spatial inhomogeneity, this project seeks to map out the local conductance of organic photovoltaic samples using conductive-atomic force microscopy (AFM). Students will learn how to use the AFM and perform measurements and analysis for organic photovoltaics samples.
Silica Structure
Chemists are interested in how confined spaces can impact chemical reactions, especially as it related to catalysis. One way to explore this is by placing an impermeable or semi-permeable two-dimensional material on a metal and monitoring reactions in between the 2D material and the metal. Just how confined are these reactions? That’s where you need a physicist. This project seeks to detemine the precise distance between a thin film and a rmetal substrate. The analysis will be performed using code that has been written in Fortran which will be run from a terminal. Keen attention to detail, an interest in computational analysis, and some background in computer programming is required for this project (preferably at least CS 110).
Nanoparticles for Artificial Photosystems
Artificial photosystems offer the potential for providing clean, scalable, renewable energy by transforming atmospheric sources of carbon dioxide and water into energy-dense chemical fuels. Using nanoaparticles for these reactions is particularly attractive due to their large surface areas and effective charge transfer mechanisms. Reactions depend on the charge state and nanoparticle size. This project seeks to explore nanoparticle geometry and explore their electrostatic properties using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Students will learn how to use the AFM.