Priyanka's Blog - Fabricating High-Mobility Organic Field-Effect Transistors

May 4, 2016

Hello everyone! I'm Priyanka Dilip, a rising junior, and I have been selected by the Liberty Science Center's Partners in Science Program. Today, I met my mentor, Dr. Bumjung Kim of the New Jersey City University, NJ. We discussed plans for our project - Fabricating High-Efficiency Organic Field Effect Transistors using Graphene as electrodes and the organic molecule Rubrene as Semiconductor. I am truly excited for this opportunity to conduct research on such a fast-growing field of study!

The application process for the Partners in Science Program is complex, and frankly quite challenging. Once selected after a detailed written portion, a grueling three-part interview session at the LSC determines the final Partners in Science Members! I was selected by Dr. Kim to work with his research team based on the interests I stated on my application. The program culminates with the Partners in Science Symposium at the LSC, where each Member presents his/her research in front of distinguished guests, mentors, research teammates, family, and friends.

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July 5, 2016

Today was the first day of my research project at the New Jersey City University!

While discussing the overarching goals of our project, I realized that this research was a dream come true for me - it involved Physics (Electricity), Materials Science, Organic Chemistry, and even Computer Science! Fortunately, I have just completed a Nanotechnology and Nanoscience course in the Columbia University Science Honors Program, so I am determined to dive even deeper into one of the fastest-growing fields in STEM, Materials Science, the foundation of all human creation.

My mentor, Dr. Kim, recommended that I study his previous paper on a related topic, named "Inking Elastomeric Stamps with Micro-Patterned Single-Layer Graphene to Create High-Performance OFETs."

I met my other research teammates today, which includes grad students and one other high school student. We come from very diverse backgrounds, so it will be a refreshing and fascinating experience working with them in the lab.