Placement Information

Year you started your placement
2014

Placement period
May – August, September – December

Supervisor’s name
Martin Valldor

Project Details

Overview
Solid state chemistry, with a focus on air-sensitive high temperature synthesis. Our aim is to make materials with interesting physical properties, such as 1D systems, odd magnetic properties or superconductors.

Project objectives
I am working on two main streams, one large “low risk” project and many smaller “high risk” projects. The low risk project is the synthesis of a pure powder of a one dimensional quaternary system with two anionic components and the characterization of the compound. A manuscript is currently being prepared for the low risk project to be submitted to Chemistry of Materials by the end of October. The high risk projects are more adventurous chemistry, with more focus on possible synthetic routes; the analysis will have to come later. The goals of the high risk projects vary, but they consistently give surprising results.

Research outcomes

Project status
Completed

Expected completion date
10/17/2014

EmilyHopkins – 2014 – Presentation

My Co-op Experience at MPI

Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
First off, I wanted to have the opportunity to work at an Institute with an amazing reputation. The work that comes out of MPI is of impeccable quality and I wanted to work along side such world-renowned researchers. I wanted to learn from them, as well as learn about the science culture in Germany. I have also always wanted to travel as a part of my co-op experience. This not only looks great on a resume, but is an incredible life experience.

What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
Work hard and be eager! Also, I really recommend taking some German classes before you come out. Younger people tend to have an okay grasp of English, but it often takes a fair amount of effort to hold a conversation. From what I can tell, being in Dresden (former East Germany) has less English than many other German cities.

Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
It’s fascinating living in Germany and experiencing how similar and different the cultures are. Overall, many things seem similar and the culture shock isn’t very harsh. However, there are little differences that crop up that may be unexpected. Be prepared to wait for ages at a crosswalk, and not understand why no one else is moving when it’s totally free to go (I know this sounds odd, but it is surprisingly off-putting). There are certain little habits that I’m sure I’ll miss when I return home; I know that buying a fresh Brötchen in the morning before work will be dearly missed.
I have also had the opportunity to visit Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam, all on extended weekend vacations. I am working here from May 5th to December 21st and I have 10 days off. I will be soon doing the bulk of my traveling. My boyfriend is coming to visit and we will start in London, (come to Dresden so I can work for a week) and then go to Prague, Budapest, Istanbul, Berlin, (back to Dresden for a week) and leave from Copenhagen. I am extremely excited to see the more Eastern side of Europe, though I have managed to generally avoid countries that use the Euro. I am thrilled to be able to travel like this, and MPI has been very flexible with when I can take my vacation.