Patrick Carmichael Email & Phone Number

Austin, Tx, Us

Austin, Texas, United States

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Structural characterization is essential for the study and synthetic design of organic thin films with applications in various fields from medicine to semiconductor production. However, these materials are often sensitive to beam damage when characterized via forms of scanning microscopies. Generally, large crystalline molecular domains are effective in dissipating radiation effects compared to individual molecules. My first project in the Huang lab involved analyzing phthalocyanine crystals grown on KCl. I determined Physical Vapor Deposition was not a reliable method of growing adequately large crystal samples. My first co-authored publication came as a result of my previous experience in using AFM to characterize the phthalocyanine samples mentioned above. For the publication, I was involved in characterizing bulk crystal samples, adding to the multitude of characterization techniques mentioned in the paper. Further, I became involved in the use of fourier analysis on ADF-STEM images of beam sensitive materials. My second project in the group has followed the same theme as the first. Structural characterization can also be ascertained via computational methods. I am currently utilizing Digital Micrograph to reveal grain boundaries of beam sensitive materials.

Urbana-Champaign Area

Stirred slurry reactors with solid catalyst particles suspended in a mixture of fluid reactants and products are common in catalyst development and testing. Specifically, current research efforts utilize these reactors to experiment with polymer upcycling catalysts. The objective of my project is to formulate and solve the Navier-Stokes equation that governs the flow inside the slurry reactor. The solution will be used to formulate a reactor-averaged effectiveness factor that captures the external mass transfer effects on the catalyst rate of reaction. This model will be useful in determining the optimal time a depolymerization reaction should take place to minimize cost and produce the most lucrative upcycled materials.

Doctor Of Science, Materials Science And Engineering

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Materials Engineering

Activities and Societies: Material Advantage

Education record

Activities and Societies: National Honors Society; La Sociedad Honoria Hispánica; Architecture Competitions in partnership with City.