Negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials are attractive filler materials for controlled thermal expansion composites. In addition, the concept of materials that shrink when heated stimulates the curiosity of students at all levels, and easily attracts them to inorganic materials oriented research. Proper design of research projects allows undergraduates to make important contributions to the science explored in our group.Undergraduate researchers have contributed to two major NTE research thrusts in our group: The synthesis and characterization of NTE materials in the Sc2W3O12 family by non-hydrolytic sol-gel processing, and the exploration of synthetic conditions for the preparation of nanosized ZrW2O8 particles for us as fillers in polymer composites. In some cases, the different work schedule of undergraduate researchers led to serendipitous important discoveries, or undergraduates decided to explore interesting new avenues. This talk will present two undergraduate projects that subsequently turned into topics for graduate theses in our group.

Expanding undergraduate research opportunities with shrinking materials

245th National Meeting (2013)

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