Understanding the role of P-N junctions and the use of semiconductors. - Joshi

The STEM placement students are sending us weekly blogs all about their experience in the world of work! 

Work experience is great and it provides students with many benefits whilst gaining skills and helping choose the right future career path for pupils. Having work experience on a Curriculum Vitae will make a person stand out to employers as they will notice they have motivation and a real passion for work. It will also help to boost a students confidence in themselves!

See how Joshi's getting on at the University of Surrey! 

Week one - 

"Over the last week, I have researched the background for my project. This involved looking at the structure of solar cells and how they work, especially by understanding the role of P-N junctions and the use of semiconductors. 

I have researched different types of solar cells and the use of doping to create an electric field at the junction. My project involves the use of the SILVACO Atlas software to model the cross-section of solar cells so for the last few days, I have also been looking at some example codes to understand how the program works." 

Week two -  
"Over the last week, I have looked further into the different parameters in ATLAS as I need to make changes in some existing code to optimize it, so that it gives the same results as experimental data. 

This involved plotting the results from the existing code, figuring out what was wrong with it and trying to find ways to make the results better. 

To get familiar with the program, I also tried to map the structure of the solar cell into the code using sample code. This solar cell model is organic, so I have looked into the basics of how organic solar cells work. "

                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                              - Joshi

I have been looking into semi-conductor physics and fluid dynamics. - Olivia

The STEM placement students are sending us weekly blogs all about their experience in the world of work! 

Work experience is great and it provides students with many benefits whilst gaining skills and helping choose the right future career path for pupils. Having work experience on a Curriculum Vitae will make a person stand out to employers as they will notice they have motivation and a real passion for work. It will also help to boost a students confidence in themselves!

See how Olivia's getting on in her extended work placement! 

Week one - 

"This week has been mainly research. I have been looking into semi-conductor physics and fluid dynamics (surface tension, contact angle, etc.). I'm using this information to try and understand how an inkjet printer works; as next week, I will be operating one to print circuits onto a polymeric material. On Tuesday I met with the company which I'm carrying out the research for - Altro. We discussed the equipment I will be using and some possible issues involved with printing using the conductive inks that I will be working with." 

Week two - 

"This week, I have begun inkjet and screen printing. I printed with some silver nano-particle ink and then thermally cured it. Afterwards I looked at it under an optical microscope - here is one of the images: 


I also used a laser cutter to cut out an electrode pattern from different materials. I am writing up my report, mainly research and some methodology."

Week three - 

"This week, I have been screen printing with Carbon ink on my substrate. I have also carried out adhesion and resistance tests on the prints and sent them off to Altro for stress testing. 

I have almost finished my report. Next week I will be doing some additional prints and testing as well as getting my samples back and investigating the changes in conductivity."

                                                                                                                                                   - Olivia 

I was able to understand how chalk dissolution features are formed and the human factors that augment the features - Binali

The STEM placement students are sending us weekly blogs all about their experience in the world of work! 

Work experience is great and it provides students with many benefits whilst gaining skills and helping choose the right future career path for pupils. Having work experience on a Curriculum Vitae will make a person stand out to employers as they will notice they have motivation and a real passion for work. It will also help to boost a students confidence in themselves!

See how Binali's getting on at CGL! 

Week one -

"My first week at Card Geotechnics Limited has been very enjoyable. I have been able to explore a subject completely different to my A level subjects but relevant to the career I want to pursue which is engineering. 

This week; I was able to understand how chalk dissolution features are formed and the human factors that augment the features by reading research papers provided by my supervisor’s colleague.

 I was able to explore the different types of solutions and the site investigation techniques they use by looking at data from a current project they are working on in Dawes Hill. 

Furthermore, I was able to use the facilities at their library to find relevant textbooks and journals as part as my research. I also watched a documentary that explained all the basics on chalk geology to me and explained the effect of sinkholes.

Next week, I have planned to have a meeting with my supervisor to decide how I will structure my research into a report. I may also be able to go on a site visit and see the impact of the chalk dissolution features in real life."

                                                                                                                                             - Binali

Living Amongst The Stars By Dr Elaine Hickmott, Development Director, EH Enterprises

As a proud sponsor of SATRO’s upcoming STEMX Awards, I settled down to write this blog post with warmth in my heart and a smile on my face.

The mission of The STEMX Awards is to celebrate the wealth of STEM skills demonstrated by young people in the south east.  From apprenticeship successes to impactful work experience placements, we have our own constellation of STEM stars right here on our doorstep.  Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate that?!

In reality, and putting my inherent enthusiasm for STEM aside, there are many reasons why The STEMX Awards are important.  But which ones should I choose?  As I pondered for a while and did a bit of research my thoughts began to crystallise thanks to the Royal Academy of Engineering’s report, The UK STEM Education Landscape.

So here, in no particular order, are my top three reasons why The STEMX Awards are so valuable...

Perception:  Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are part of our everyday lives and contribute to prosperous societies and economies.  The skills developed through STEM fuel innovation; they are in demand now and will be in the future; they launch and sustain careers that make a difference to the world.  By celebrating the contribution of young people to this STEM-tastic mix, The Awards help influence public perception, smash stereotypes and encourage engagement at a human level.

Pathways:  The routes taken to achieve career success are different from person to person.  People change disciplines and roles, take on a range of responsibilities as they evolve and explore new experiences.  SATRO’s STEMX Awards demonstrate this perfectly by taking a holistic view of STEM and showcasing a plethora of pathways to dynamic, fulfilling STEM careers.  Real people; real stories; real life.

Progression:  The Awards bring together young people setting off on their STEM adventures and people in STEM-based or STEM-related professions.  All of them are using skills linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a variety of ways to develop rewarding careers.  This sends out a message to communities far and wide; whoever you are, whatever your aspirations, STEM subjects and careers enable progression into an amazing array of opportunities.

Recognising and celebrating our STEM talent, as well as those who support them, is valuable and worthwhile. SATRO’s STEMX Awards give us the chance to highlight their achievements and raise awareness at the same time.  Plus we get to have some fun too of course. 

So as I bring this blog post to a close, the smile on my face is wider and the warmth in my heart is greater.  Yes, it truly is an inspiring place to be; living amongst the stars.

By Dr Elaine Hickmott, Development Director, EH Enterprises