Lisa Janes
  • Chemistry
  • Tinley Park, IL

Lisa Janes of Tinley Park presented at Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium

2014 Dec 5

Several Lewis University students presented research at the 24th Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium to peers, faculty and STEM professionals. The event consisted of presentations and keynote address from cutting edge scientists and engineers. Lewis University student Lisa Janes of Tinley Park was one of the presenters.

The conference not only aims to provide exceptional students with a platform to present their research, but also serves to offer undergraduate students the ability to explore the next step in their STEM trajectory. Various career development panels and presentations were available to all interested participants.

Samantha Brain and Zachary Widel presented "Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots for Solar Cell Applications." The research worked to employ a "green synthesis" route to the preparation of quantum dot solar cells that exhibits greater efficiency than baseline dye-sensitized solar cell technology. Dr. Jason Keleher, chair and associate professor of chemistry, served as their faculty mentor.

Julianne Truffa, Alyssa Szponder and Lisa Janes, presented "A Study of Nanoparticle-Polymer Interactions Relevant to Chemical Mechanical Polishing Applications. The research was to investigate the molecular level interactions at the nanoparticle-polymer interface using Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, a modified attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy technique, and a high resolution contact angle method. Dr. Keleher served as their faculty mentor.

Amy Mlynarski, Meghan Nichol and Lisa Janes presented "Exploring the Chemical Mechanical Planarization Process of Diverse Substrates." The research explored the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes used to planarize a variety of substrates, such as Sapphire, Nickel-Phosphorous, as well as Copper for advance interconnect devices. The research also dissected the CMP process to elucidate mechanisms that play a pivotal role in the development of next generation technology. Dr. Keleher served as their faculty mentor.

Jaimie Hughes, Bianca Garcia, Daniel Lentz and Taylor Foytik presented "Biomimetic Antimicrobial Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Next Generation Wound Management Materials." The work examined the development of nanocomposite wound management material that incorporates bimimetic polymers as the core building block, coupled with antimicrobial nanoparticles, which also aided in the overall functionality and structural rigidity. Dr. William Chura, assistant professor of biology; Dr. James Rago, associate professor of biology; and Dr. Keleher served as their faculty mentor.

John Hodul and Zach Struzik presented "Nano-Templating and Mesoporous Adjustment of Silica Sol-Gel." Nanotemplating is the encasement and removal of nanoparticles from a host of matrix material to control the resultant porosity in both physical and chemical properties. The goal was to first understand the silicon dioxide matrix prior to the addition of nano templates using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Dr. John Parker, assistant professor of chemistry and physics, served as their faculty mentor.

A number of the students who presented their research are a part of the Scholars Academy, including John Hodul, Meghan Nichol, Zach Struzik and Julianne Truffa.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.