Tobin Kaufman-Osborn
Walla Walla, Washington
Physics and Astronomy
The demand for renewable energy
is great, but before summer 2006, I
knew little about how it might be
met. Now, after spending 10 weeks
in a Macalester high-tech laboratory,
I have begun to understand the basics
of one possible solution to the energy crisis: solar cells.
I began by learning about the process
of creating thin-film photovoltaic
cells. I then spent the next few months
working on campus with my adviser,
Professor James Doyle, setting up the
necessary equipment, and actually
growing and optimizing a semiconductor
material known as hydrogenated
amorphous germanium. This material
is one of several that scientists are
currently using to reduce the cost
of solar cells. These thin films, each
about 1/100 the thickness of an average
human hair, were grown through a
process known as “reactive magnetron
sputtering.” Each day I learned something
new about the formation of the
films. Whether it was wearing gloves
for the better part of the day as I meticulously
cleaned tools and silicon slides
to go into our high-vacuum chamber,
or growing the films and measuring
their electrical properties, each step was
intriguing because of the complicated
physics behind it.
"My work was actually helping
society develop possible
solutions to the energy crisis." |
The summer flew by as I absorbed
more knowledge about semiconductors
and solar cells than I could ever have
imagined. The opportunity to have
hands-on experience with state-of-the-art
equipment provided a completely
different aspect to learning. As the
summer continued and I discussed my
work with friends and family, it slowly
dawned on me what an amazing opportunity
this was. My work was actually
helping society develop possible
solutions to the energy crisis. I quickly
became enthralled with the topic of
renewable energy and have since vastly
expanded my knowledge of different
forms of renewable energy.
I chose to continue the research with
Professor Doyle. I spend time each
week in the lab during a busy senior
year continuing to make progress, and
another student and I are presenting
our research at a professional materials
science meeting. Not only has this
been a tremendous learning experience,
but it will undoubtedly help my
prospects when applying to graduate
schools. Although I try not to sound
cliché, this truly has been a lifechanging
experience for me. I see
many aspects of energy consumption
differently and have personally attempted
to reduce my energy footprint
in various ways. The time in the lab
was a unique undergraduate experience
that has filled me with satisfaction
as we worked to contribute a small
amount to the overall greater push
for renewable energy.
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