Quincy Williams, a Ph.D. student in materials science and engineering at Norfolk State University (NSU) with dual bachelor’s degrees in math and physics from NSU, explains how he started using nanoHUB and why he continues.
nanoHUB: How did you get started using nanoHUB?
Williams: I learned about nanoHUB about four years ago and used it to watch presentations by Vladimir Shalaev and Victor Veselago on metamaterials. Recently, I used nanoHUB on a regular basis as a reference for a class. I really got hooked on nanoHUB when I realized I could learn far more information about nano science by listening to the lectures than reading a course text.
nanoHUB: How do you use the tools?
Williams: I’ve used modeling and simulation tools mostly as part of a class to try to explain nanostructures. We would go to the tools to actually see a particular phenomenon. We didn’t have to worry about setting up an experiment and hoping to get useable data, and we could get several kinds of data at once instead of needing to set up multiple experiments. With tools, you can get straight to what you really need to know.
nanoHUB: What other resources do you like?
Williams: My favorite resources on nanoHUB are the online seminars and courses. At first, I was surprised to see how many subject experts publish information on nanoHUB. We have limited access to research papers at my school, so hearing the presentations helps to keep me current on the newest advances in my field. I also use the personal web space and am a member of a group, the NCN Simulation Based Learning Group.
nanoHUB: Do you have advice for new nanoHUB users?
Williams: Someone getting started on nanoHUB should definitely view the Nanotechnology 501 Lecture Series published by Gerhard Klimeck and Mark Lundstrom. This series is a great introduction to the field of nano science.
Writer:
Jennifer Crowell, communication specialist, Network for Computational Nanotechnology, 765-496-6541, jmcrowell@purdue.edu
2012.07.25