Name: Derek Dupre
Classification: senior
Hometown: Orange
Major/Minor: Chemical Engineering
Research topic: Effective refractive index and intermolecular forces associated with hydrocarbons
Synopsis of research: Dupre initiated an honors contract to earn an honors credit in a thermodynamics class taught by his mentor, Dr. Rafael Tadmor, in fall 2004. During the summers of 2004 and 2005, Dupre investigated the contribution of particular functional groups on the effective refractive index of various hydrocarbon chains. A Lamar University graduate student, Preeti Yadav, investigated intermolecular forces associated with the functional groups of these hydrocarbon chains. Their research resulted in a paper published in “Surface Science” in 2007. The findings could have direct application to the types of surfactants used by industry to impact the way liquids move across a surface.
Dates of research: May 2004 to July 2005
Publications/Presentations: Published in “Surface Science,” 2007.
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rafael Tadmor
Derek Dupre: “It was a great opportunity. As a freshman, I had an idea it might lead to a paper eventually, but had no idea this would be realized within my undergraduate career. I think that’s a great gift to me from Preeti and Dr. Tadmor and gives testament to the strength of our mentoring relationship.”
