Presenter: Joshua Lee

Faculty Sponsor: George Willaim Griffin

School: Bunker Hill Community College

Research Area: Chemistry and Materials Science

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A29

ABSTRACT

As demand for artificial intelligence and advanced computing hardware continues to grow, so too does the need for the foundational research that enables these technologies. One such area of research is thin films. Thin films describe engineered material coatings, often just nanometres to micrometres thick, that fall within surface chemistry and materials science. These films can exhibit behavior differently than in bulk, and have enabled many advances in optics, electronics, and sensors, making their study crucial for maintaining global demand for the previously mentioned technologies. However, with the rising cost of tuition in America, more students are now starting their academic careers at community colleges instead of four-year institutions, making it crucial for community colleges to update their curricula to accommodate growing demand for the field.

This study therefore examines the feasibility of implementing thin films coursework to supplement existing chemistry and engineering programs at community colleges, with the criterion for success evaluated through available funding, equipment, as well as government policies which support thin films research and education. To further contextualize these findings, a constrained attempt at thin film synthesis was also conducted using materials and equipment accessible within a community college laboratory. Rather than demonstrating successful film fabrication, this attempt aims to document the procedural, technical, and institutional barriers that students may encounter when conducting thin film experimentation.