2024, October 29
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Kazakh Students Completed Internship at a World-Renowned U.S. Laboratory
2024, October 29
Share this articleNU SSH master's student Aigerim Kushenova and undergraduate Leila Akisheva completed an internship at the prestigious Molecular Foundry, a leading nanoscience research center at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
They shared their experiences and talked about the challenges they faced.
How did you learn about the opportunity to intern at Berkeley, and how did you get there?
Aigerim Kushenova: I joined an existing project in Molecular Foundry, one of the five U.S. national user facilities for nanoscale science located in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. While there are no strict application requirements, you must know what project you want to work on and discuss it with the assigned scientist beforehand. I worked under the research project of NU physics professor Alexander Tikhonov, who suggested this internship.
Leila Akisheva: I have been working with Professor Alexander Tikhonov since 2022 on the project, focusing on the confined space synthesis of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Dr. Tevye Kuykendall, the Director of the Inorganic Facility at the Molecular Foundry Division, LBNL, invited us so we would not have to pay for the opportunity itself. However, there were other expenses, such as flights, accommodation, and per diem, so I applied for a scholarship from the Yessenov Foundation, which covered the costs of my three-month stay in the U.S.
What were your research tasks at the Berkeley lab?
Aigerim Kushenova: I work with two-dimensional materials, mainly synthesizing and characterizing 2D semiconductors. At the Molecular Foundry, I synthesized thin tungsten disulfide (WS2) films and studied their properties under specific conditions, for example, by varying humidity in the system. At NU, I work on a similar project but with different materials: molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), doped tungsten disulfide (WS2), and material heterostructures. I characterize the synthesized materials using various methods and study their properties. It's a vast and complex field of research.
Leila Akisheva: I became interested in superconductivity and nanofabrication at the Berkeley lab, which involves creating or assembling nanoscale materials. My supervisors, Aidar Kemelbay, a former NU NLA research member, and Dr. Kuykendall, agreed to start a completely new project on niobium selenide (NbSe2) superconductors. For three months, I synthesized superconductors using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), studied their electrical properties, measured the superconductivity of the synthesized thin films, and even fabricated and characterized superconducting nanowires. It was an exciting experience.
What did you learn at Berkeley, and how has this experience changed your perspective on science?
Aigerim Kushenova: I spent two months in Berkeley in total. I had the opportunity to present a poster on my research at the annual Molecular Foundry conference. I was allowed to work on weekdays, and on weekends, I explored the city and visited landmarks. I met many scientists and researchers from different fields and learned about their projects. I learned a lot from my supervisor: how to effectively evaluate experimental results and quickly make efficient decisions. Being in such a large research complex allowed me to see how a leading national lab effectively supports its researchers.
Leila Akisheva: My time at Berkeley was not only productive in terms of research but also incredibly enriching personally. The trip to the world's leading research center was transformative for me. I expanded my technical skills by learning advanced nanofabrication techniques and methods for characterizing new materials. I also gained valuable insights into how large, world-class research centers, like the Berkeley Lab, operate. Working with renowned researchers and interacting with a diverse scientific community greatly increased my confidence and ambition.
Tell us about yourselves.
Aigerim Kushenova: I graduated from an ordinary school, No. 64, in Astana. In high school, I really liked mathematics and physics and wanted to pursue this path in university. Initially, I didn't know that I would go into materials science. Still, I realized that this field intersects with physics, chemistry, and perhaps a bit of engineering, which makes it very exciting. Nanomaterials physics is challenging but fascinating, and while I can't say that I fully understand it yet, I learn something new every day, and my worldview is constantly expanding. In the future, I want to study nanomaterials in more theoretical frameworks.
Leila Akisheva: I graduated from a regular secondary school, No. 102 in Karaganda. I've always had a strong passion for research and science and a curious mind. In recent years, I've been working on the confined-space synthesis of thin monolayer semiconductors composed of transition metals and chalcogens. Specifically, I studied innovative methods for controlling the synthesis environment of this material. However, after returning from Berkeley, I decided to continue my project on superconducting nanowires. I'm incredibly grateful to my professor and the lab group for their support.
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