UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1233 | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Submission information

Submission Number: 1233

Submission ID: 20761

Submission UUID: dc21b3e5-d52d-45f0-b7cc-7efe89185e8b

Submission URI: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?webform_submission=20221

Submission Update: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?webform_submission=20221&token=OTyK-KNB1kArNrYVI4G_9k00dt3eR3J08TjysSL_cqw

Created: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 01:02 PM

Completed: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 01:03 PM

Changed: Wed, 08/27/2025 - 04:48 PM

Remote IP address: 144.174.214.38

Submitted by: Anonymous

Language: English

Is draft: No

Webform: UROP Project Proposal Portal

Submitted to: UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal

Research Mentor Information

Primary Research Mentor Name Catherine Fidd

Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns she/her

When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) cf22k@fsu.edu

Position Title Graduate Student

Faculty Advisor Name Brandon Krick

Faculty Advisor's FSU Email bkrick@eng.famu.fsu.edu

FSU College (if applicable) FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering

Headshot (optional) {Empty}

Additional Research Mentor(s)

Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above) {Empty}

Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) {Empty}

Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) {Empty}

Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) {Empty}

Overall Project Details

Title of the Project Tribology and Characterization of Hydrogen Exposed Refractory Metals

Project Keywords wear, friction, refractory metals, hydrogen, XPS, tribology, furnace

Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes

Number of Research Assistants Needed 1

Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors

Project Location: AME Building- 2003 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310

If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? bus

Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): In-person

Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 5-10

Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)

Overall Research Project Description Hydrogen is rapidly gaining popularity as a "clean" energy source. Understanding the effects of hydrogen aging on materials, in this case metals, is important to ensure longevity of components that are exposed to hydrogen. For example, hydrogen turbines require materials that are creep resistant to temperatures >1200 degrees C. Refractory metals are a promising option due to their tolerance of high temperatures. This project investigates the effect of hydrogen exposure on the tribological properties of refractory metals exposed to hydrogen at high temperatures. It also aims to characterize crystallinity, chemical, and phase changes in the materials using methods such as XPS, XRD, and electron microscopy.

Research Tasks Operation of high temperature hydrogen furnace
Friction and wear testing of materials on tribometers

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: *skills for this can/ will be taught
-Matlab*
-Calculus (recommended but not required)
-Chemistry (recommended but not required)
-XPS (Xray photoelectron spectroscopy)

Mentoring Philosophy My mentoring philosophy revolves around fostering independence while providing support and guidance. In the context of polymer processing and mechanical testing, my approach emphasizes empowering students to take ownership of their project, starting with foundational training and evolving into self-directed work. I believe in the ultimate goal of developing critical thinking skills through data processing and analysis. I encourage students to delve deeply into relevant literature, linking past research with their experimental results. By maintaining open lines of communication, I aim to create an environment where questions are welcomed and curiosity is nurtured. Our lab has a multi-tiered mentoring structure, where the student will be able to talk to both the graduate student and faculty advisor regarding the project. My role is to guide and support, helping students navigate challenges and refine their understanding, ultimately leading to a more profound grasp of both the theoretical and practical aspects of their project.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://web1.eng.famu.fsu.edu/~bkrick/

Please add any additional information here (if applicable): This project has some work that can be conducted on main campus as well.

Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes

Roundtable times and Zoom links {Empty}

Roundtable Info

Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92219172548
Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92219172548

UROP Program Elements

Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes

UROP Performance Evaluation Yes

Materials Grant Yes

UROP Poster Presentation Yes

Faculty Advisor Confirmation Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series? No

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Year 2025

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