This week, I had a meeting with my PI. I usually have these meetings every week but for the past three weeks I haven’t had to because of holidays or his busy schedule. But this week he was available, so I was moderately nervous for it. My PI is very approachable, and this time around compared to the first week, I had something substantial to update him on. For the past few weeks, I have been running numerous measurements in a hanging cell setup using Carbon Nanotube (CNT) threads. My project focuses on the capacity of polymer-coated CNT, specifically PEDOT:PSS polymer, and because there are various adjustments that can be made depending on the desired outcome, I have had to run tens of these measurements. My mentor has been very helpful in steering me on which changes to make because I have limited time.

I first began by testing the capacity of different materials as electrodes, then when I settled on that, I began tweaking the settings on the voltameter to determine the best range to run the measurements at, one that won’t degrade my materials from repeated attempts. Once I got that data, my mentor then suggested I reduce the volume of my beaker to increase the sensitivity of my reading; this is because the surface-area to volume ratio is very critical. The goal of this change is to measure the materials ability to sense changes in the electrolyte, once a redox-active material has been introduced. I will be adding in different concentrations, starting at 2uM and going to 0.2M. This process itself has been very fun for me as I have had to make use of my gen-chem knowledge. I remember the first time I was asked to calculate molarity form percentage, I froze and had to text my chemistry professor in a panic! (LOL).

This experience so far has given me a head-start on course I have not yet taken, but it has also given me opportunities to make use of the ones that I have, and I am very grateful for that.