Nicholas Parra-Vazquez (Chemical Engineering Major)
"A Fundamental Study of Selective Catalysis in
Heterogeneous Materials"
Sponsor: Professor Alexander Katz, Chemical Engineering
Project Description
A Chemical Engineering & Material Science double major, Nicholas plans to investigate the significance of catalyst structure on a system exhibiting shape-selectivity. In the past, it has proven difficult to synthetically manipulate one catalyst feature without simultaneously altering other features. As a result, the relative importance of various structural features on catalyst selectivity remains generally unknown. By using a novel synthetic method called molecular imprinting, Nicholas hopes to achieve independent manipulation of the catalyst's structural features, thereby allowing elucidation of the mechanism of catalyst selectivity. Mechanistic information can in turn be used to optimize catalyst design, resulting in significant economic and environmental benefits in the industrial sector.
Scholar's Photo
Scholar's Journal
So I started this summer much like the last one, in a research lab with new people. Last year I was the newcomer of a lab group consisting of four people. This year I was the veteran of the lab, second to the professor. It was very interesting because everyone was coming to me to find out how to do things.
I know you always here that having a research opportunity will help further your education, whether you are entering the job force or continuing to graduate school. Don't get me wrong these are correct facts that should be taken into consideration, but what i got most out of this summer was the experience of having a second family. At first most people just get into lab and do their work. Then as time passes and you find yourself stuck in lab with these people for 10-12 hrs a day they kind of grow on you. And by the beginning of the semester you find yourself dropping by between classes to chat or go to lunch. The people alone are worth the long hours and continual failures. And with every breakthrough there are at least 10 failures.
I thoroughly enjoyed working this summer and there is still a great amount of work needed before I am ready to answer my proposed questions.
See Nick's paper: On route to the Chiral Imprinting of Bulk Silica (2002, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings #723M)
Download Nick's paper published in 2006 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
