My
name is Sheikh Abdul Rezan and I am currently doing my PhD
in Material Engineering in the University of New South Wales.
On April 15th like any other day, I spend my time researching
the fundamentals of material science in my area of study
which is the carbothermal reduction of titanium dioxide
into titanium carbide. My research area is important as
it will paved way for cheaper cost for titanium metal. Cheaper
titanium metal will mean cheaper goods and services for
people involved in the titanium industry. For example, the
cost for titanium hip implants will be more affordable for
lower incomes family.
a)
b)
c)
Figure 1: a) Some products made from titanium metal. b) Most
common use of titanium is in white pigment or sunblock which
is made of titanium dioxide. c) Titanium metal hip replacement
[1].
On April 15th, I started my day by running an experiment on
the effect of porosity to the formation of titanium carbide.
This was done by creating small pores in my sample which allow
gases such as hydrogen to diffuse easily into the sample. Easy
diffusion of gases means better reaction. The setup of the experiment
took 1 hour and the experiment lasted for 2 hours. After that,
I analyze the data which was in the form of the exhaust gas
concentration. This took another 2 hours. The remaining of the
day, I spent reading some journals which could help me explain
the results I got from my porosity experiment. As usual, my
day consist of asking or posing a question on my problem and
doing an experiment to answer the question. Once the experiment
is done, I will review the experimental data to see if the question
was answered. Finally the answer to my problem will be compared
to similar answers found in the journals. If they match, I can
be confident I am on the right path of knowledge in my quest
to understand my material , titanium carbide even better.
Like
in any other research field, it is important to have strong
background in math’s, physics and chemistry. These subject
are critical for my research and without strong emphasis of
this subjects in my high school years, I would have found it
difficult to do most of the work I do now in my study. As the
saying goes, “ the root of the tree is important for the
trunk, bark and fruit to grow”. Similarly, without the
root of science and math in my soul, climbing the ladder of
research would be difficult. I usually spend my research day
formulating a plan of attack on how I will best utilized the
day. This is important as I do not like to waste time on things
which are not important for my research work.
My
dream in science is to help humanity and my country. I would
like my hard work and sweat to mean something for people around
the world someday. I know many people in the world are unable
to have access to education, food and shelter. With this in
perspective, I would like my contribution to science to mean
something for them and hopefully once day inspire their children
to follow the same footsteps I took. At the end of the day,
I hope my work will bring change to some human beings somewhere
around the world.
Figure 2: A piece of extremely lightweight aerogel poised on
soap bubbles. Innovative materials are designed by understanding
basic science and math’s and applying in new aspect of
the material [2].
During my high school years, I was interested in science and
math’s due to my wonderful teachers and inspiring parents.
If not for their tireless effort and self sacrifice, I would
not be here where I am today. I owe everything to them for not
giving up on me when at times everything seems to go against
them. It is this determination that has kept my engine of interest
going all this while. I remember one incident in high school
where I was tirelessly pursuing the glory of finding a high
temperature superconductor. Although my effort was in vain due
to my experience and environment, my high school teacher kept
motivating me to explore all other possible areas to investigate
this material. For example, she kept asking me to write literature
findings on all high temperature superconductive material. I
later choose Ceramic Engineering as my degree of choice because
many high temperature superconductors was ceramics and my fascination
of this field which was groomed during my high school years.
a)
b)
Figure 3: a) A magnet levitating above a ceramic superconductor
at liquid nitrogen temperature of 77k. b) A magnetic levitating
train which can be created from superconductors [3].
My
decision to come to UNSW was based on the desire to continue
my studies and bring my experience to a whole new level. I wasn’t
satisfied with what I had and getting a PhD would be the Everest
of my career. I came here with this hope and every second since
that day I first came here has been edging closer to the peak.
I choose UNSW because it had the best material science school
in Australia and one of the top schools in Asia. Besides that,
I wanted to experience the life and culture of staying in a
new country which is different than mine. UNSW has not disappointed
me in these expectations. I hope more people will come and study
here like what I did and unlock their true potential. As a famous
scientist once said, “ We are an island of knowledge surrounded
by a sea of unknown, as we chart the ocean, we increase this
island of knowledge”.
References:
1.
http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magsuper.htm
2. Laboratory, L. L. N. (2003). "Chemistry- 50 Years of
Exploring Materials."
3. http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/jcesoft/cca/cca4/mainpt/tz_elt/ti.htm
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