iBioFAB @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“I work with Professor Randy Ewoldt in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Illinois and am a Research Assistant helping uncover newfound knowledge on yield-stress fluids through iterations of impact-test experiments with different weight percentages of laponite in water and data collecting/analysis through the use of a rheometer. The purpose is to understand the rheological characteristics of this material and clearly define the effects an unaged and aged sample of laponite has upon impact of a coated surface; all this with the goal to implement our findings into fire extinguishing applications with this material. I really like the people that I work with and with the graduate student I work directly with. I've learned so much about rheology and yield-stress fluids and have been given multiple responsibilities where I can experiment on my own. I was also tasked with orchestrating and directing high-speed video recordings of the experimental findings which have since been submitted to the Gallery of Rheology Contest. These findings will be presented at this year's Society of Rheology in Texas.”

“The opportunity to conduct my own research with guidance from faculty and graduate students and to learn about conducting research and graduate school. ”