Sarah C
- Research Program Mentor
MEng candidate at Cornell University
Expertise
Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Polymer Science, Fiber Science
Bio
Hi there! I'm Sarah, a master's student at Cornell University studying Materials Science & Engineering. My academic interests include polymer science, textile engineering, and package engineering. My favorite thing about materials science is its wide range of applications, allowing me to both conduct research on hydrogels for biomedical applications during my undergraduate education and complete an internship at Intel last year making computer chips. In the future, I plan to work in the consumer goods industry as a technical product developer or packaging engineer. Outside of school, I'm a big fan of sports and outdoor activities. I'm currently training for a half marathon and have loved exploring my local trails and neighborhoods on my runs. In my free time, I also enjoy trying out new restaurants (foodies unite!), reading, and knitting.Project ideas
All About Rubber: An in-depth study of the chemical and mechanical properties of elastomers
Polymers are some of the most relevant and impactful materials for everyday life, and the basis of all polymer science lies in understanding the structure-property relationships present in these macromolecules. In this project, you will gain a better understanding of the chemical and mechanical properties of rubber, an extremely familiar yet remarkably unique polymeric material. Through either hands-on experimentation or an in-depth literature review, you will research the chemical structure of rubber in order to understand the effect of temperature and vulcanization on its mechanical behavior. By the end of the project, you will be able to explain why rubber is classified as a liquid instead of a solid, why it contracts when it's heated, and how the addition of nanofillers makes it a material suitable for car tires. You will produce a scientific research paper based on your findings and learn how to refine your analytical abilities and technical writing skills.