Austin Mohney receives acceptance into Summer Research Fellowship Program

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Austin Mohney

Lock Haven University junior Austin J. Mohney has received acceptance into the 2011 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kane, Pa. resident is majoring in Applied Physics with a minor in Nanotechnology as well as a minor in Mathematics. He will take part in the Georgia Tech SURF program from Wednesday, June 1 to Wednesday, July 27, 2011. The program carries a stipend of $4,100 for the summer, plus free housing and travel expenses.

The 2011 SURF program at the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering is for undergraduate science and engineering students to experience hands-on participation in the multidisciplinary field of materials research. Students in the program will work on a one-to-one basis under the mentorship of faculty from different disciplines at Georgia Tech in advanced materials for biological, energy, structural and sensor applications.

According to the Georgia Tech SURF 2011 website, "Materials research is full of challenging and difficult problems and many critical technologies and engineering systems of the future are dependent on advances in materials. Materials contain structural features, ranging from nanometer to millimeter length scales, which bear direct link(s) to their synthesis and processing route(s). The structural features in turn determine the properties of materials relevant to structural, chemical, electrical, optical, and energy applications. A thorough understanding of process-structure-property correlation and links across length scales is essential for accurately predicting the performance of materials in all engineering applications. The SURF/IREP Program will include research projects . . .focusing on Structure-Property Correlation Across Length Scales Advanced Materials for (A) Biological and Sensor Applications; (B) Structural and Extreme Environments, (C) Energy Applications, and (D) International Site Projects."

Upon his acceptance into the Georgia Tech 2011 SURF program, Mr. Mohney stated, "When I began applying to summer programs I wasn't sure if I would even be considered for a position as my resume was compared side by side with other students' resumes from all over the country. It is very rewarding to see that all the work I have been doing is being noticed and acknowledged to this extent. I firmly believe that the opportunities that I have been presented with at Lock Haven University paved the way for this success. The small college environment as well as the passionate faculty here at Lock Haven allow for the hands on experience necessary to progress and excel beyond an undergraduate degree." He added, "I am very proud and honored that I was able to secure a spot in this program. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay before me."

At the end of the SURF program, each student will make a presentation at a special closing ceremony during which certificates acknowledging their participation in the program will be presented. The students will be required to make an oral or poster presentation and submit a one-page extended abstract on the research performed during the course of the program.

At the March, 2011 meeting of the American Physical Society, Mr. Mohney gave a poster presentation on his LHU research titled "SEM and EDX Study of Al alloy Precipitant Surface Segregation due to Annealing" which focuses on research of precipitant hardened Al alloys their thermal stability, and diffusion characteristics. He conducted his research in the nanotechnology program under Dr. Indrajith Senevirathne, assistant professor in the Geology and Physics Department.

Austin Mohney is the son of Carol and Julie Mohney.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.