$500 Superconductor research project?

[Mo777]

Hello my university is giving out little "mini" grants for undergrad research and I was wanting to get involved because it sounds fun/looks good on a resume. The winners would get $500 to spend on a research project of their choosing. All I have to do to enter is fill out some paperwork stating my goals, and give a detailed budget on the project. I am an engineering physics/physics double major and am very interested in superconductor research. Does anyone know some projects that would be possible with that budget? If there are any that is.

Thank you so much for your time.

 

[Davide86]

I think that a research project about superconductivity is not feasible with a 500$ budget. It is due to the fact that achieving the superconducting state requires liquid helium or liquid nitrogen (if you work with cuprates). These two materials are both expensive: so I think there's no chance. I am sorry for you!

 

[alxm]

Liquid nitrogen is expensive? At our dept at least, a gallon of LN2 is cheaper than a gallon of milk.

 

[Davide86]

At my department liquid nitrogen free. The point is that if you want to use it, you need the transfer line and the cryostat: these are really expensive! A cryostat's price lies in the range between 10000-40000 € more or less.

 

[pmacias]

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in conducting a superconductor research project through your university's undergraduate grant program. Superconductors are a fascinating and rapidly advancing field of study, and it is great to see your enthusiasm for it.

With a budget of $500, there are several possible research projects that you could pursue in the field of superconductors. One idea could be to investigate different types of superconducting materials and their properties, such as critical temperature and critical current density. This could involve purchasing and testing various materials within your budget.

Another potential project could be to design and construct a small superconducting device, such as a Josephson junction or a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). This would require purchasing the necessary components and materials, as well as some basic equipment for fabrication and testing.

You could also consider conducting a literature review on a specific aspect of superconductor research, such as the latest developments in high temperature superconductors or the potential applications of superconductors in renewable energy technologies. This would involve purchasing relevant articles and publications, as well as possibly attending conferences or workshops to gather more information.

Overall, the key to a successful research project with a limited budget is to carefully plan and budget your expenses, and to focus on a specific and achievable goal. It may also be helpful to consult with your university's physics or engineering department for guidance and resources. Best of luck with your project!

Sincerely,