X-Ray, Wrinkling Analysis and Presentations

We arrived at Conte by 7:30. Today was going to be used to check out our hypothesis about different thicknesses. We made several films and I set up the X-Ray Reflectometer.
The data was just OK...we only got three consistent waves in a row, and there should be five in a row to get a good measurement of film thickness. We calculated the thickness to be about 100 nm thick, which is thicker than either Jaingshui or Dave get ( about 86 nm). The second slide was processed, but this time we got no usable data, the specimen may have been in backwards, so there was no film on the slide
The normal Friday noon lunch for R.E.T.s (us) and R.E.U.s (undergrads doing research) was held, followed by two presentations by doctoral candidates. Kate was first to present; working with the Lesser group on improving the environmental resistance of PBO. PBO replaced Kevlar as the primary constituent of bullet-proof gear because it has a higher tensile strength than Kevlar and is lighter in weight and simpler and less expensive to produce. It has failed, however, after prolonged exposure to UV light and moisture. The project is hoping to develop a polymer to coat the PBO that will confer UV and moisture resistance to the substance without reducing tensile strength.The second presentation, by Simon, was entitled "Novel Hybrid Polymers Incorporating Carboranes as Pendant Groups". These structures are used in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; the structures are incorporated into tumor tissues then bombarded with neutrons. The result is site specific, isolated radiation therapy.
The remainder of the day was spent measuring thicknesses of films and measuring wrinkle patterns obtained on Thursday.