Eric Driscoll gives presentation to American Physical Society

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Eric Driscoll

LOCK HAVEN, PA (04/01/2011)(readMedia)-- As the world's leading physicists assembled in Dallas, Texas, March 21-25, for the 2011 meeting of the American Physical Society (APS), Lock Haven University had a major presence. One of the presenters was Mr. Eric Driscoll. a junior and a Chemistry major at Lock Haven University.

As his presentation at the APS 2011 March meeting, Mr. Driscoll will give a poster presentation in his research titled "Modification of the growth mechanism of ZnO nanowires by addition of oxidizing agents" which focuses on the process of a well controlled synthesis of ZnO nanowires. He conducted his research in the nanotechnology program under Dr. Marian Tzolov, associate professor in the Geology and Physics Department.

Dr. Tzolov explained that "Synthesizing ZnO nanowires is a very easy process, however, the controllable synthesis is a delicate process depending on the balance of a dozen parameters. The controllable and reproducible growth is what is technologically relevant, because only this way device structures can be realized. The knowledge we gained during this study represents an important contribution to the understanding of the growth mechanisms of ZnO nanowires."

A resident of Roaring Brook Township, Pa., Eric Driscoll is the son of William and Grace Driscoll.

Dr. Tzolov said, "Eric is a very clever student and I see a great future for him."

Attendance at the APS March meeting typically includes more than 12,000 of the top scientists in physics and applied physics research throughout the world. The attendance always includes a few Nobel Prize winners in Physics or/and Chemistry.

Each year since 2009, LHU nanotechnology students have been presenting their research at the APS conference. The record began in 2009 with a single LHU student presenter, and in 2010 there were 6 LHU student presenters. This year, there were 9 LHU student presenters. Dr. Indrajith Senevirathne and Dr. Anamika Gopal, assistant professors of Physics, directed the trip to Dallas. Dr. Senevirathne has been taking student presenters to the APS March meetings since 2009.

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.