Education
Education
Montana Technological University Nanotechnology Researchers Win Multiple Micrograph Awards
Researchers from the Montana Technological University Nanotechnology Laboratory (MTNL) recently won several micrograph awards at the 64th International Conference on Electron, Ion, Photon Beam Technology and Nanofabrication (EIPBN). “The EIPBN, affectionately known as “3-Beams,” is the premier gathering of scientists and engineers who are dedicated to electron, ion and photon lithography, imaging and analysis; atomically precise fabrication; nanofabrication process technologies and related emerging technologies; and their applications in a broad spectrum of fields.”
The Director of the MTNL Dr. Jack Skinner has been a regular participant at the conference since 2004 as an author, session chair, member of the program committee, and attendee. In addition to multiple days of scientific presentations, the conference has a lighter focus where the artistic side of science is recognized. Each year a group of world experts in advanced scientific imaging select the best micrographs. This year the contest included 50 entries from four different continents. At the most recent meeting, Materials Science Ph.D. student Luke Suttey won the Grand Prize for his micrograph entitled “Pretzel Sticks.” The micrograph depicts electrospun polymer filters that were fabricated during the pandemic to accommodate the increased demand for novel mask materials. The cube-shaped salt crystals were blown onto the polymer filter during efficiency testing. Dr. Jessica Andriolo (ME, Research Associate) won the Most Bizarre micrograph for her image entitled, “Dr. Seuss Coloring Book.” The image shows randomly electrospun polymer fibers deposited onto copper electrodes incidentally during a precise deposition process. Dr. Andriolo also won an honorable mention for a second micrograph entitled, “Where’s Mickey,” that depicts fluorescent beads embedded in an electrospun polymer filter that was being evaluated for pore size during filter material tests. Winning micrographs from 2021 and previous years can be viewed at the Zyvex Labs™ website at: https://www.zyvexlabs.com/contests/2021-2/.
For more information, please visit https://www.mtech.edu/mechanical-engineering/research/index.html.
The Director of the MTNL Dr. Jack Skinner has been a regular participant at the conference since 2004 as an author, session chair, member of the program committee, and attendee. In addition to multiple days of scientific presentations, the conference has a lighter focus where the artistic side of science is recognized. Each year a group of world experts in advanced scientific imaging select the best micrographs. This year the contest included 50 entries from four different continents. At the most recent meeting, Materials Science Ph.D. student Luke Suttey won the Grand Prize for his micrograph entitled “Pretzel Sticks.” The micrograph depicts electrospun polymer filters that were fabricated during the pandemic to accommodate the increased demand for novel mask materials. The cube-shaped salt crystals were blown onto the polymer filter during efficiency testing. Dr. Jessica Andriolo (ME, Research Associate) won the Most Bizarre micrograph for her image entitled, “Dr. Seuss Coloring Book.” The image shows randomly electrospun polymer fibers deposited onto copper electrodes incidentally during a precise deposition process. Dr. Andriolo also won an honorable mention for a second micrograph entitled, “Where’s Mickey,” that depicts fluorescent beads embedded in an electrospun polymer filter that was being evaluated for pore size during filter material tests. Winning micrographs from 2021 and previous years can be viewed at the Zyvex Labs™ website at: https://www.zyvexlabs.com/contests/2021-2/.
For more information, please visit https://www.mtech.edu/mechanical-engineering/research/index.html.
