Location: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Position: Undergraduate research assistant
Commitment: minimum of 1 semester + summer, one full year preferred
Contact: Albert Epshteyn ([log in to unmask])
 
Job Description:
A paid undergraduate research assistant position is available in the area of nanoparticle and nanomaterials synthesis for energy storage applications in the Materials Synthesis and Characterization Section in the Chemistry Division of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. The research assistant will work closely with a team of scientists to learn the skills necessary for the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials that are being developed as advanced fuels or hydrogen storage media. The position’s primary responsibilities will be to conduct supervised research by producing and characterizing new materials. This research opportunity is a great way to learn techniques for the characterization of properties of these materials, including scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, high pressure hydrogen sorption analysis, nitrogen-physisorption porosimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and most importantly – diverse techniques for handling and synthesis of air-sensitive reagents and materials.   

 
Relevant Publications:
1.      Epshteyn, A., Miller, J. B., Rivera-Díaz, J. L., and  Purdy, A. P., “Sonochemically Generated Air-Stable Bimetallic Nanopowders of Group 4 Transition Metals with Aluminum”, Chemistry of Materials, accepted
2.      Purdy, A. P., Sorber, R., Epshteyn, A., Pettigrew K. A., and Miller, J. B., “The Synthesis of Hafnium Nanomaterials by Alkali Metal Reduction of Hafnium Tetrachloride”, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2011, 13, 5435-5448
3.      Epshteyn, A.,   Purdy, A. P., Pettigrew, K. A.,  Miller, J. B., and Stroud, R. M., “Sonochemical Synthesis of Air-Insensitive Carbide-Stabilized Hafnium Subhydride Nanopowder”, Chemistry of Materials, 2009, 21, 3469–3472
4.      Epshteyn, A.,   Miller, J. B., Pettigrew, K. A., Stroud, R. M., and Purdy, A. P., “Surface Passivated Air and Moisture Stable Mixed Zirconium Aluminum Metal-Hydride Nanoparticles”,  Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 2007, 1056-HH03-16