Anticipating Arrival at Yonezawa, Japan | International Research Experience at Yamagata University

by Daniela Fontecha, UVM IRES Participant

Organic Electronics often requires working in a nitrogen atmosphere. Loading the substrates is the first step in preparation for organic thin film vapor deposition in the White Lab at UVM. Doing it with oversized gloves definitely makes it harder than it sounds.

I’m Daniela, a senior majoring in physics and chemistry at North Carolina State University. When I heard about this program I got very excited because I have been wanting to explore research in organic electronics for some time – and to be able to spend my last summer as an undergraduate abroad was just perfect. I arrived at UVM about two weeks ago and had the chance to experience some the neat things Burlington has to offer, such as great food and great views, before heading to Japan. While at UVM we learned and read a lot about our research as well as about Japanese culture. Most of our days were very intensive with Japanese lessons in the morning and research in the afternoon. I learned a lot about the organic electronics research with the guidance of Dr. Furis and Dr. White who also demonstrated experimental techniques related to our projects to prepare us for the labs in Japan. Overall, this has been a great start to the program and I can’t wait to arrive in Yonezawa tomorrow and meet the other professors and students involved in this research.