Myat Lin ’04 Presents Platinum Research at National Conference

Biochemistry major Myat Lin ’04 of Yangon, Myanmar, is combining physicalchemistry and computer science in collaborative research to develop less expensive alternatives to platinum for chemical reactions.

He presented his findings at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, hosted April 15-17 at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, Ind. The research is providing valuable experience as Lin prepares for graduate studies in biophysics and computational biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next fall.

Using computer simulations in independent research supervised by Kenneth Haug, assistant professor of chemistry, Lin examined how crystalline surfaces of nickel and platinum can be grown and used in place of platinum in certain catalytic reactions.

“I wrote a few small programs to analyze the results after carrying out the simulations,” says Lin, a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Haug says the project involves determining the smoothness of various combinations of nickel and platinum and observing the number of “dangling bonds” on the surface layers. A dangling bond is a chemical bond that extends toward the exterior of a material instead of joining one atom with another.

“Platinum is very expensive,” Haug says. “Scientists are interested in trying to get similar properties to a platinum surface without the expense.”

“I’ve learned new procedures and techniques in simulation and computation,” says Lin. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Haug says Lin has “a very logical mind.”

“He’s far beyond the typical undergraduate student in terms of his computer skills,” Haug says. “He has a really keen mind for computational work.”

Lin, who also conducted research over three summers with Robert Root, associate professor and head of mathematics, says both professors have offered him many opportunities to learn.

“I really like to work with them,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot of techniques and I’ve had a lot of choices for research.”

Lin participates in Lafayette’s Barge mathematics competitions and is a member of the International Students Association, the Asian Cultural Association, and the campus chapter of the American Chemical Society.

Independent study courses are among several major opportunities at Lafayette that make the College a national leader in undergraduate research. Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students were accepted to present their work at the annual conference this month.