Mask samples were coated in metal to prepare for the scanning electron microscope. The machine directs a beam of electrons at the subject and producing a high resolution scanned image for review. Here, August Mendoza gently places a square of metal-coated mask on a peg for the machine.
Each student in the Experimental Chemistry class was responsible for a mask that has been washed a set number of times. After preparing his sample, Jake Dyll loaded his mask into the microscope.
Engineering faculty member Matt Caputo assisted the class with operating the scanning electron microscope and saving images within the software to evaluate for the Penn State Shenango Undergraduate Research Fair in April. As Alyssa Kelly loaded her sample, Caputo assisted with clarifying the image.
While evaluation is still being completed by the class, early renderings comparing new masks to washed masks showed notable structural changes. The group is excited to look at how the number of wash cycles changed the masks over time.