Today our mentor gave us the opportunity to go to another lab to learn from another researcher, named Ms Shubah. The day started at the e-space where we spent a little time with our group-mates and our mentor for the first week to rehearse our presentation for the innovative challenge. After that we went to meet Ms Shubah who showed us around the lab she was working in and explained to us the technology of the batteries. She explained really thoroughly what each machine was for and the theory behind everything. Unfortunately due to the malfunction of one of the machines we were unable to use it to do some practical things. However, we stil learned alot from her as she told us how it was like working as a researcher, doing her phD and all that. From her, we learnt that a researcher has to be super committed to actually get things done. This day has marked the end of our attachment with Mr Aravinder Vanchiappan, our mentor too. Even though it was only a short 4 days, he still taught us alot and actually took time to accompany us even though he's a very busy man. He even took the initiative to get to know us better and really took care of us. Thank You Mr Aravinder!
MSE work shadowing day 8!
Day 8
Jun Yang and Ying Li's experience (Week 2: Batteries)
Today when we first arrived we met our mentor at the research lab. As always we were greeted by the large and many machinery that walled us in. It seemed like a never ending adventure, coming to a research lab. We went to have our lunch first, before going to the library to do up our innovation challenge. The Lee Wee Nam was huge and full of students studying all around. Perhaps one day that would be us studying at the tables. We thought hard and deep about what we wanted to do for the innovation challenge, and finally agreed on one that we felt was appropriate. You'll have to wait till Friday to find out what it is! Nevertheless as we returned to the lab, we helped ourselves to the pantry where we had tea and waited for our mentor. Unfortunately our mentor informed us that there was some issues that he had to attend to, and our day shortly came to an end.
Sanraj's and Xuan Wei's experience (Week 2: Drug Coating)
Today we measured the weights of the different hydro-gels our mentor prepared before hand. A electronic weighing balance, similar to the ones we have in school, was used. The water in the small containers was taken out (we had to be careful not to accidentally suck in the gel too) before using a spatula to take out the gel. |
| The hydro-gel in their containers |
 |
| The hydro gel being weighed |
Jun Yang and Ying Li's experience (Week 2: Batteries)
MSE work shadowing day 9!
Sanraj's and Xuan Wei's experience (week 2: Drug Coating)
Well today's the last day we were going to step into a lab in NTU during this work-attachment. We were beginning to grow a closer bond to our mentor and did not want to leave when the clock struck 5pm. Anyways, the first half of the day, we worked with the Hydrogel that was used yesterday.
 |
| A sample of the hydrogel inside a valve. |
The hydrogel has a cylindrical shape and is transparent. We were going to set up the hydrogel with the rheometer to find out the stiffness of the hydrogel after finding out the expansion of the hydrogel yesterday.
 |
| The rheometer |
This is the rheometer where the hydrogel will be placed to find out its stiffness.
 |
| The rheometer in action with the hydrogel |
As you can see, the hydrogel is squeezed in this picture on the left using the rheometer. This process is done several times before we can determine the stiffness of the hydrogel by plotting a graph of pressure against frequency on a computer.
Well, the rest of the day we were planning on what were going to present for the following's day presentation. It seemed as if it was like a subject named "Project Work" back at JC where we had to scratch our skulls to come up with the best idea. It is pretty nerve-wrecking but I hope we can pull it off tomorrow. Well, this experience is like no other and we will cherish it till our deathbeds. Thank you Nanyang Technological University for this amazing opportunity. And thank you mentors!
Thank you Mr Wei Shan from Sanraj! You gave me a lot of good advice for my career.
MSE Work Shadowing Day 7!
Day 7
Sanraj's and Xuan Wei's experience (Week 2: Drug Coating)
Today for the first half of the day, Xuan Wei and I focused on what we were about to for the challenge presentation this coming Friday and our mentor gave us some guiding questions to consider when we were thinking of our solution to our problem. FINALLY, we came up with an idea and of course we can't disclose it here hehe. Let's wait till Friday! Anyways, for the second half of the day, we assisted our mentor with his experiment. For the experiment, we were taught how to use the laser micrometer (too chim) to measure the thickness of the hydro-gel that was coated on top of the ureteric stent.
The process above of measuring the thickness of the hydro-gel was very pain-staking and meticulous.
As the hydro-gel was not coated uniformly on top of the stent, we had to measure both the maximum and minimum thickness for a total of 9 stents. Phew it took us up to 30-40 minutes. Next, we carried on with the our mentor's own experiment. As his experiment is new in the field, it must be kept classified. Anyways, after assisting our mentor , today I learnt that scientists need to have the skills of being patient and being careful with their work. Also, they must have the resilience and determination to achieve their desired results ( our mentor demonstrated these qualities!! :) ). This experiment would take some time to complete and hence, it would be pushed till the next day.
After today, we picked up on new skills and learnt more on what a scientist's life is about and pushed us further to strive for that field. Can't wait for the next day to continue on with the experiment!!
Jun Yang and Ying Li's experience (Week 2: Batteries)
Today we were greeted by our mentor in the morning and he brought us into the lab which was filled with expensive equipment.
We had to put on things including hairnets and face-mask before we went in and our mentor then gave us a tour around the lab which was pretty big.
He explained to us roughly what each machine was for and how it worked. One machine that looked particularly interesting was the gloveboxes whereby reactive materials was handled. The glovebox is filled with argon, an inert gas and hence this creates a safe space for the scientists to handle reactive things such as the lithium metal.
There were several other machinery also including the X-Ray machine, the battery testers, one of which costed $40k. Yea, IKR. Being surrounded by all these expensive equipment really made the both of us extra cautious when going around the lab. After the interesting tour where our mentor had also started preparing some materials to be used to make cells, he gave us time to relax at the office pantry to wait for the materials to be ready. These materials had to be cleaned in a machine and thus we relaxed in the comfortable pantry which had lots of refreshments too.
Sanraj's and Xuan Wei's experience (Week 2: Drug Coating)
Today for the first half of the day, Xuan Wei and I focused on what we were about to for the challenge presentation this coming Friday and our mentor gave us some guiding questions to consider when we were thinking of our solution to our problem. FINALLY, we came up with an idea and of course we can't disclose it here hehe. Let's wait till Friday! Anyways, for the second half of the day, we assisted our mentor with his experiment. For the experiment, we were taught how to use the laser micrometer (too chim) to measure the thickness of the hydro-gel that was coated on top of the ureteric stent.
The process above of measuring the thickness of the hydro-gel was very pain-staking and meticulous.
As the hydro-gel was not coated uniformly on top of the stent, we had to measure both the maximum and minimum thickness for a total of 9 stents. Phew it took us up to 30-40 minutes. Next, we carried on with the our mentor's own experiment. As his experiment is new in the field, it must be kept classified. Anyways, after assisting our mentor , today I learnt that scientists need to have the skills of being patient and being careful with their work. Also, they must have the resilience and determination to achieve their desired results ( our mentor demonstrated these qualities!! :) ). This experiment would take some time to complete and hence, it would be pushed till the next day.
After today, we picked up on new skills and learnt more on what a scientist's life is about and pushed us further to strive for that field. Can't wait for the next day to continue on with the experiment!!
Jun Yang and Ying Li's experience (Week 2: Batteries)
Today we were greeted by our mentor in the morning and he brought us into the lab which was filled with expensive equipment.
We had to put on things including hairnets and face-mask before we went in and our mentor then gave us a tour around the lab which was pretty big.
He explained to us roughly what each machine was for and how it worked. One machine that looked particularly interesting was the gloveboxes whereby reactive materials was handled. The glovebox is filled with argon, an inert gas and hence this creates a safe space for the scientists to handle reactive things such as the lithium metal.
The Glove Box
There were several other machinery also including the X-Ray machine, the battery testers, one of which costed $40k. Yea, IKR. Being surrounded by all these expensive equipment really made the both of us extra cautious when going around the lab. After the interesting tour where our mentor had also started preparing some materials to be used to make cells, he gave us time to relax at the office pantry to wait for the materials to be ready. These materials had to be cleaned in a machine and thus we relaxed in the comfortable pantry which had lots of refreshments too.
The Pantry
After the relaxing break where I almost fell asleep, our mentor came and brought us to the lab again. It was time to make the cells in the glovebox. Our mentor showed us a demo and allowed us to try doing it too. It may eem tedious and scary to be using such advanced materials but it was fun putting together the pieces of the battery. We laughed at how shaky our hands was as both of us trembled at the thought of causing accidents in the lab or spoiling such an expensive equipment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)