Junior chemistry majors Matthew LaLama and Jennifer Miller in the X-ray diffraction lab in Ward Beecher Hall.
The Youngstown State University College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics shows off its high-tech labs and some of its best students at the STEM Showcase 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, on the YSU campus.
In addition, $1,000 in scholarship money will be given away to prospective YSU STEM students who attend the event and complete a survey.
The Showcase is free, but guests are encouraged to register in advance. To register and for more information, visit www.stemshowcase.ysustem.com.
Open for tours will be YSU’s newly improved X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy labs. YSU received a new cyber-enabled, single crystal X-ray diffractometer through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The system produces data 700 times better than YSU’s previous equipment. The NSF also funded the recent expansion of the electron microscopy lab, including two new electron microscopes and a new facility to house them. The microscopes allow researchers to view items up to 1 million times magnification.
YSU’s Chem-E-Car team
Among the student research projects that will be on display is the Chem-E-Car, a small car powered by a chemical energy source. YSU’s Chem-E-Car team recently bested teams from universities across the Midwest and placed second at the regional Chem-E-Car contest in Illinois. Another group of students will showcase a new more efficient and portable design they developed to cool down beverages, and YSU’s Baja car team will have this year’s car on hand.