As technology continues to get smaller, there is a need to know the wear properties of objects on the nanoscale. Jared Barnes, Luther College senior of Fort Worth, Texas, is researching and analyzing the effects of nanoscale wear for his summer research project at the college.
Barnes, the son of Kathi Daniel, of Fort Worth, and David Barnes, of Arlington, Texas, is a 2014 graduate of Arlington High School. He is majoring in physics at Luther.
"Research has taught me a lot about how I can learn things on my own without the help of others. I've always asked a lot of questions, but research has given me the confidence to be creative and bold in my approach to solving problems," said Barnes.
Barnes is working with Erin Flater, Luther associate professor of physics, on his project "Analyzing the Effects of Nanoscale Wear."
Car sensors and cellphone parts are among objects that are required to withstand certain amounts of nanoscale wear. By knowing the effects of wear on nanoscale objects, they can be designed to be more durable and continue to work without breaking. Barnes has written computer code to perform calculations of wear, which will help him and Flater better understand nanoscale wear patterns.
The Student-Faculty Summer Research projects provide students an opportunity to research topics of interest alongside Luther faculty. This program is one of a wide selection of experiential learning opportunities at Luther intended to deepen the learning process and that are part of Luther's academic core.
The results of the project will be presented at the end of fall 2017 in his senior project presentation.
A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,150, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college's website: http://www.luther.edu.