ARCS Foundation, Metro Washington Chapter (MWC) April 2023 Newsletter |
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Apr 13: Visit (virtual) at George Washington University, 3-4:30 pm
Apr 17: Visit (in-person) at Johns Hopkins University, 10 am-1:15 pm
Apr 26: Spring Social and Luncheon, 12-2:30 pm, Riverbend Country Club
Apr 28: Visit (virtual) at University of Virginia, 11 am-12:30 pm
May 4: Visit (virtual) at Georgetown University, 3-4 pm
May 18: Spring Member Meeting
Jun 11: Summer BBQ Social
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Would you like to hear from our scholars, their professors and school administrators? Then you'll definitely want to participate when we visit our university partners.
We have scheduled a mix of in-person and virtual visits, so hopefully you are able to attend one or more. In-person visits offer the chance to see the labs and learn what's new on campus.
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Apr 13: George Washington University, 3-4:30 pm, via zoom. Click here for the full agenda.
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Apr 17: Johns Hopkins University, 10 am-1:15 pm, in-person
- 10:00 AM Arrival/refreshments
- 10:30 AM Welcome and JHU ARCS/MWC Scholar Presentations
- 12:00 PM Luncheon/Guest Speaker
- 1:00 PM Group Photo
- 1:15 PM Conclusion
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April 28: University of Virginia, 11 am-12:30 pm, via zoom
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May 4: Georgetown University, 3-4 pm, via zoom
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Join your fellow ARCS-MWC members for a social luncheon on Wed, Apr 26 from 12-2:30pm at Riverbend Country Club. The owner of Enso Jewelers and Engravers in Chantilly, VA will demonstrate his workmanship and his fine jewels. A piece of jewelry from his collection will be awarded to one lucky attendee! Members, guests and potential members are welcome.
Cost is $45. Click here by Apr 19 to register. Questions? Contact Karen Finkbiner at (703) 403-7812 or ksfinkbiner@aol.com.
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Our Spring Member Meeting will be held on May 18 at the home of Julie Hohl, 7203 Capitol View Drive, McLean, VA. Your attendance is very important because we will vote in the new board.
Coffee and conversation from 10:30-11:15 am, meeting from 11:15 am to noon, and lunch at noon. If you can't attend in-person, join the 11:15 am meeting via zoom.
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Nick R. Schwartz – Mrs. Nancy Schumack (Mrs. Ralph D. Schumack) Memorial Scholar
1st year Scholar, PhD Candidate in Material Science & Engineering
University of Maryland
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Research:
Scientists have long attempted to use fusion reactors to create miniature stars on earth for energy production. But implementation is inhibited where this man-made star interacts with surrounding walls – where the “rubber meets the road.” As part of a team developing a novel fusion reactor, I test materials that can survive the immense heat and radiation through simulations and experiments.
Describe the expected benefit of your research to society:
The global energy crisis is one of humanity's most formidable problems today. In fact, the US National Intelligence Council stated that “A major breakthrough in and large-scale deployment of [fusion] energy...would alter our assessment that the global energy transition is not on pace to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 ˚C.” Fusion energy can provide abundant amounts of clean energy, and there is enough fuel on earth to last millions of years. Additionally, there are no emissions from the fusion process, and the small amount of radioactive waste that is produced is short-lived. Finally, there is a low risk of proliferation and no risk of meltdown. For all these reasons it’s known as the “holy grail” of energy. While there has been much success in fusion, nobody has achieved a net-positive energy output.
Putting fusion energy on the grid has mainly been hampered by the materials that must survive the intense heat and radiation from this artificial sun. I’m focusing on testing a special material – hexagonal boron nitride – in this environment. If successful, my research could help make fusion reactors commercially viable. Additionally, my team at UMD is building a novel fusion reactor that we predict will be more efficient and cheaper than any other concept. My research directly contributes to and enables the effective operation and commercialization of this device. Moreover, this project has the potential to benefit other fields of research where materials must survive large heat loads like spacecraft and hypersonics.
Career objectives:
As a child, I always dreamed about going to the stars, but now I dream about building a star here on earth through a process called fusion. The fusion industry is growing at a rapid pace, and I aspire to guide it forward. I chose fusion not only because it is a potentially revolutionary technology, but because it is inherently a force for good -- clean, limitless energy. The energy crisis and global warming affect every single person every day, whether it be your cell phone dying because of a power outage, or the health impacts of dirty fuel in the developing world. I want to work towards a complete transformation of our energy sources to transform lives around the world.
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Jordan L. Tanen – ARCS-MWC Chapter Scholar
1st year scholar, PhD Candidate, Chemistry
Georgetown University
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Research:
Jordan’s research develops high-sensitivity analytical techniques for quantitative trace fluorine detection in complex environmental and biological samples. The developed methods enable any fluorine-containing molecule to be quantified without the need for standards specific to that compound, offering a general approach for trace-level quantitative mapping of fluorochemical bio- and environmental transformations.
Describe the expected benefit of your research to society:
Trace-level fluorochemicals have become prevalent in medicine and in the environment as a result of expanded manufacturing and use of these chemicals. For example, per and poly-fluorinated substances are common as Teflon coatings and fire-fighting foams. These chemicals transform into new compounds after their introduction into the organisms and the environment. The products of such transformations can potentially be harmful and require new measurement techniques for their detection and characterization. Such assessments are critical for development of safe drugs and protection of the environment. To this end, the techniques developed in the aforementioned research enhance chemical measurement capabilities for characterization of fluorochemicals.
Indicate how an ARCS award benefits your research:
In my recent experiments, I have identified a set of reagent ions that improve the robustness and efficiency of chemical ionization to detect F. To fully take advantage of these capabilities and push the limits of fluorine measurements, several modifications to the instrument are proposed. One remaining factor that reduces the capability to detect small F concentrations in my research is existence of fluorinated compounds in materials that come into contact with sample. For example, chromatographic instruments conventionally use fluoropolymers because of their stability. But these materials leach small quantities of fluorinated compounds that interfere with F analysis. Special sample handling equipment and supplies are recently developed by several vendors that avoid fluoropolymers in the manufacturing and in the products. The requested budget will allow us to acquire these equipment and supplies and use them in conjunction with our unique analytical technique to push the limits of low concentrations amenable to quantitative analysis without standards. Another area of improvement is in sample introduction as well as tighter control of post-plasma chemical ionization to enhance precision of the measurements. The requested budget will cover purchase of a special sample introduction device that improves transfer of the sample into our analytical technique. The requested pipette puller, and the mass flow meters will allow us to better control the formation of reagent ions and their interaction with post-plasma flow, in turn improving measurement stability.
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Activities: Save the Date! June 11 is a picnic and bbq at the home of Patty Sparrell. Family members are welcome. It'll be Dave's barbecue plus potluck with beer and wine. Watch this space and your email for details.
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Membership: Council members, potential new members and chapter leaders gathered at Julie Hohl’s home on Mar 3. Attendees discussed the May membership meeting, member recruitment, member retention, member orientation, activities, upcoming membership renewal.
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University Relations: We hope to see you on one or more of our university visits. See the details above.
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P.O. Box 60868
10221 River Road
Potomac, MD 20859-0868
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