Master and Bachelor projects

Master projects

The Nanoionics group currently has several openings for Master projects in the area of electrochemical nanofluidics. In this research, we employ microfabrication to create liquid-filled, nanometer-scale channels and chambers in which small numbers of molecules (and even single molecules) are detected and manipulated by electrical means. This enables both fundamental experiments on the physics and chemistry of ionic systems on the nanometer scale, and allows us to explore the ultimate limits of electrochemical detection for (bio)sensor applications.

cover screen ratio

Project: Nanofluidics and single-molecule handling/analysis

We are currently combining our nanofluidic devices with microfluidic circuitry so as to actively control and manipulate the flow of molecules into the detection region. The goal of this project will be to integrate nanofluidic valves into the setup in order to reversibly seal the nanochannels/devices. It is the goal to trap small amounts of molecules or even single-molecules in the device and characterize them electrically. Tasks will include the design and microfabrication of nanofluidic components as well as electrical measurements of the electrochemical activity of molecules at the most sensitive levels (femtoampere range). Project supervisor: Dr. Klaus Mathwig (k.h.mathwig@utwente.nl).

Project: Nanofluidic biosensors

Enzymes are proteins that act as molecular-scale chemical factories. We are incorporating enzymes into our nanofluidic devices that produce electrochemically-active molecules. This will permit both studying the kinetics of (single) enzyme molecules and exploring new biosensor concepts. This project will involve perfecting our enzyme immobilization protocol and performing sensitive electrochemical measurements of enzymatic activity. Project supervisor: Dr. Liza Rassaei (l.rassaei@utwente.nl).

Project: Energy storage with ionic liquids

Ionic liquids – liquids composed entirely of ions – are basically salts that are already molten at room temperature. Ionic liquids are promising candidates for use in supercapacitors for energy storage as they exhibit high capacitances, wide voltage range, and desirable materials properties such as non-flammability and low vapour pressure. A puzzling feature of capacitors made with ionic liquids is that they exhibit extremely slow dynamics – up to the order of minutes – upon a change in applied potential. From an energy storage standpoint, such slow processes are undesirable as they lead to hysteresis and losses. From a fundamental point of view, on the other hand, they open a fascinating window on the microscopic relaxation processes of room temperature ionic liquids. We will study the charging dynamics of supercapacitors in nanoscale fluidic devices, with the main objective of elucidating the cause of the slow relaxation. Project supervisor: Dr. Liza Rassaei (l.rassaei@utwente.nl).

Interested?

We welcome students from all study programs with an interest in our research. To apply, please contact Prof. Serge Lemay (s.g.lemay@utwente.nl) or the project supervisor for an appointment.

Bachelor projects

We also have openings for Bachelor student projects. Because of the shorter time scales involved, we tailor each project to the student on a one-on-one basis rather than having official openings.

Interested?

We welcome students from all study programs with an interest in our research. To apply, please contact Prof. Serge Lemay (s.g.lemay@utwente.nl) for an appointment.

	Nanoionics > Openings > Master and Bachelor projects
Home People Research Publications Openings Internal	Master and Bachelor projects Master projects The Nanoionics group currently has several openings for Master projects in the area of electrochemical nanofluidics. In this research, we employ microfabrication to create liquid-filled, nanometer-scale channels and chambers in which small numbers of molecules (and even single molecules) are detected and manipulated by electrical means. This enables both fundamental experiments on the physics and chemistry of ionic systems on the nanometer scale, and allows us to explore the ultimate limits of electrochemical detection for (bio)sensor applications. Project: Nanofluidics and single-molecule handling/analysis We are currently combining our nanofluidic devices with microfluidic circuitry so as to actively control and manipulate the flow of molecules into the detection region. The goal of this project will be to integrate nanofluidic valves into the setup in order to reversibly seal the nanochannels/devices. It is the goal to trap small amounts of molecules or even single-molecules in the device and characterize them electrically. Tasks will include the design and microfabrication of nanofluidic components as well as electrical measurements of the electrochemical activity of molecules at the most sensitive levels (femtoampere range). Project supervisor: Dr. Klaus Mathwig (k.h.mathwig@utwente.nl). Project: Nanofluidic biosensors Enzymes are proteins that act as molecular-scale chemical factories. We are incorporating enzymes into our nanofluidic devices that produce electrochemically-active molecules. This will permit both studying the kinetics of (single) enzyme molecules and exploring new biosensor concepts. This project will involve perfecting our enzyme immobilization protocol and performing sensitive electrochemical measurements of enzymatic activity. Project supervisor: Dr. Liza Rassaei (l.rassaei@utwente.nl). Project: Energy storage with ionic liquids Ionic liquids – liquids composed entirely of ions – are basically salts that are already molten at room temperature. Ionic liquids are promising candidates for use in supercapacitors for energy storage as they exhibit high capacitances, wide voltage range, and desirable materials properties such as non-flammability and low vapour pressure. A puzzling feature of capacitors made with ionic liquids is that they exhibit extremely slow dynamics – up to the order of minutes – upon a change in applied potential. From an energy storage standpoint, such slow processes are undesirable as they lead to hysteresis and losses. From a fundamental point of view, on the other hand, they open a fascinating window on the microscopic relaxation processes of room temperature ionic liquids. We will study the charging dynamics of supercapacitors in nanoscale fluidic devices, with the main objective of elucidating the cause of the slow relaxation. Project supervisor: Dr. Liza Rassaei (l.rassaei@utwente.nl). Interested? We welcome students from all study programs with an interest in our research. To apply, please contact Prof. Serge Lemay (s.g.lemay@utwente.nl) or the project supervisor for an appointment. Bachelor projects We also have openings for Bachelor student projects. Because of the shorter time scales involved, we tailor each project to the student on a one-on-one basis rather than having official openings. Interested? We welcome students from all study programs with an interest in our research. To apply, please contact Prof. Serge Lemay (s.g.lemay@utwente.nl) for an appointment.