Benjamin Montag Email & Phone Number

Manhattan, Ks

Semiconductor Materials And Radiological Technologies Laboratory (S.M.A.R.T)

Semiconductor Materials And Radiological Technologies Laboratory (S.M.A.R.T.)

- Synthesized and prepared lithium-based materials (LiZnP, LiZnAs, Li3P, etc.) for bulk crystal growth, grew the largest bulk LiZnP and LiZnAs reported – Applications such as radiation detectors, lasers, LEDs, Li-ion batteries. - Built the first neutron detectors from LiZnP and LiZnAs materials. Post processed ingots into devices by dicing, polishing and etching into individual samples. Prepared individual samples into devices by evaporating electrical contacts by e-beam evaporation and/or sputtering. - Characterized materials/devices – x-ray diffraction (powder and high-resolution); material properties; electrical properties; radiation sensitivity.- Managed over a dozen undergraduate researchers to assist with projects in the laboratory. Wrote quarterly reports, and presented project status and results at review meetings- Designed and built Bridgman crystal growth systems, and other high-temperature growth systems. Designed furnace electrical systems and assisted with furnace control software programming.- Built and fabricated Lithium Foil Neutron Detectors (R&D 100 award 2014) and other high-temperature gas-filled neutron detectors- Grown and characterized (crystallinity, light yield, electrical measurements) bulk radiation detection crystals of BiI3, CZT, LaBr3, CeBr3, CaI2, NaI, PbBr2, RbI, CdI2, SrI2, PbI2, CsI, and TlBr (ingots up to 8 inch, 1.0 inch diameter)

Kansas State University, Manhattan Ks

- Taught laboratory sections of Principles of Radiation Detection - NE 612. - Provided laboratory lecture, explained basic principles, and evaluated reports- Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant recognition (2014 – 2015 academic year)

Lincoln, Nebraska

Grew diode thin films of boron carbide on silicon in a plasma reactor for applications such as radiation detection and power generation, Characterized devices with chemical instrumentation such as UV-Vis, FTIR, Photoemission, XRD, & NMR spectroscopy; electrical instrumentation such as IV curves & RC measurements (resistance, capacitance).

Salford, Greater Manchester, Uk

- Synthesized new boron carbide based precursors- Learned specialized vacuum & nitrogen pressure wet-chemical reactions; characterized precursors and other molecules using NMR spectroscopy.

Nuclear Engineering, Ph.D., Semiconductor Materials

Dissertation: “Lithiated Ternary Compounds For Neutron Detectors: Material Production and Device Characterization of Lithium Zinc.

Chemical Engineering, Supplemental Courses

Chemistry (B.S.) (Minors - Physics, Math)