By ANTHONY BOTTAN
However, the creation of these carbon nanotubes helped one Valley Stream South senior join an elite group of science students from around the country, and become nationally recognized for her scientific research.
Dimple Chhatlani, a senior at South High School, was a semi-finalist at the Siemens Science Competition, a nationwide competition that focuses on math, science and technology. She was recognized for her project, "The fabrication of carbon nanotube composites and the study of their thermal properties." Carbon nanotubes are diamond-shaped, carbon molecules that are 100 times stronger than steel. Though carbon nanotubes are strong, Chhatlani said, they are very flexible and are often used in liquid crystal display screens (LCD televisions) and in the manufacturing of tennis rackets. These molecular building blocks intrigued Chhatlani.
"I was really interested in using materials to build things," she said.
Chattlani grew the carbon nanotubes in a furnace and combined them into a composite -- which is when two or more different materials are combined, but remain separate in the finished structure -- with the help of a polymer. According to Webster's Dictionary, a polymer is a group of molecules strung together, like DNA, to form a long chain of molecules. How the molecules are put together and which molecules the chain consists of determines how the polymer will react.
Chhatlani did most of her research at Columbia University with the help of James Hone, a professor at Columbia's Department of Mechanical Engineering. For two years, Chhatlani spent her summers in the Columbia lab, working with Hone and his mechanical engineering graduate students creating the purest carbon nanotubes with the most favorable properties. Chhatlani said she hopes her research can help find practical applications for carbon nanotubes in everyday life. Jeffrey Hsi, Chhatlani's science research advisor at Valley Stream South, said he was proud to see Chhatlani rewarded for her dedication and focus.
"Most students only work for one summer on a project," Hsi said, "but she has been working on this project with more dedication and focus than any other student I have ever seen."
Chhatlani said she was surprised when she got the news that she was a semi-finalist, considering this was the first science competition she ever entered. "I hoped for the best," Chhatlani said. "I was just happy that my work paid off."
The South senior said she wants to pursue a career in science and if the opportunity arose, would like to enter another science competition. Chhatlani said she wants to attend Columbia University next year and focus her studies on internal medicine or possible nano-technology. In her off time, Chhatlani volunteers at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, works with Valley Stream South's Cultural Society and Key Club, and is a reporter for South's newspaper, The Southern Bell.
