Washington and Lee University
Fluid Diagnostics Lab - Allan Kisoma (‘09) and Andrew Tessier ('11) measured temperature in a supersonic air jet using laser-induced electrostrictive gratings. The data represent the first reliable detection of temperature fluctuations in the turbulent mixing regions of the flow. Marcus Newsome ('11) and Kyle Parsons ('11) obtained velocity measurements in the plume above a heated cylinder using particle image velocimetry. They are using small perturbations to the cylinder surface to improve heat transfer efficiency.
Polymer Lab – Amy Karwan (’08), Taylor McLachlan (’08), and Keegan Hines (’09) worked on the characterization of polymer blends by dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and positron annihilation spectroscopy. Mechanical strength was correlated with molecular structure and processing conditions.
Laser Lab – Jake McKay (`09), Karen Lee (`09), and Ben Mooneyham (`10) conducted experiments with two semiconductor lasers shooting at each other. They found polarization-modulated squarewaves whose duration could be varied with pump current or optical injection strength.
Complex Systems Lab - Jorge Chancay (’08), Jameson Graber (’08), Amanda Haines (’07), and Nick Trinh (’08) investigated non-equilibrium driven models and their relevance to the understanding of molecular motors.
Thin Film Lab - Ned Burks ('10), Anitesh Lal ('11) and Raisa Velasco Castedo ('12) worked with Dr. Dan Mazilu to set up and begin research on antireflection coatings using self-assembled nanoparticle multilayers.
Neural Engineering Lab - Students will be involved in this new lab helping with experiments investigating the effects of chronic stimulation on cultured neural network dynamics.
