REU Project

In this project we are investigating a more sustainable way to develop bipolar plate material. This involves the use of a liquid crystal polymer. We are also attempting to improve the thermal and electrical conductivities of the fuel cell bipolar plate through the addition of multiple carbon fillers (carbon black, synthetic graphite, and carbon fiber). The addition of such fillers has been shown to have a synergistic effect on these important material properties. I am working on developing models to describe various rheological properties of composites made up of the LCP matrix with the addition of varying amounts of fillers. Personal Information:

I am from Portland, Oregon but now I spend more of my time at school in Rhode Island. I will be a junior at Brown University in the fall. I like running, rock climbing, and generally being active and outside. I also enjoy traveling, which has led to my career-interest of using engineering to help countries develop sustainably. Renewable energy applications and water resource issues are of particular interest to me. At Brown I am involved with the school’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, where this year I will serve as President. We have worked on local projects and are starting to design a health clinic in Peru this coming year.