Nanotechnology
Nanospring technology might be the answer
Professor Grant Norton’s work with nanomaterials might change the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. And he wants you to help.
Hydrogen-fueled vehicles would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil while protecting the environment. Professor Norton's work on nanosprings could be the key to making hydrogen a viable fuel for automobiles by solving how to store the gas for ready use by a car.
Here's where you come in
In class, Norton, who is a professor of materials science and engineering, tries to help students see the relevance of what they’re doing and the enormous positive affect they can have on society.
As one of his students, you might assist Professor Norton in the lab, working on open-ended research projects, not the confined, structured “design” projects typical of many undergraduate engineering programs.
"As a result," says Norton, "you see the impact you can have on the big issues that face us, with the biggest being energy."
Norton's labs share their research with private companies that are developing alternate fuel technology.
"Undergraduate students get to do important research, and many end up as first or co-authors on papers before graduating," says Professor Norton. "My students are so well prepared that they're often sought after by graduate schools around the country."
