Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

By Megan Weintraub

Many students would be overwhelmed by the frustrations and pitfalls of working with carbon nanotubes, tiny molecules that can be used as transistors or processors in small electronics. However, Anthony Boyd, a 2005 College graduate originally from Kearny, New Jersey, found the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Paola Barbara too interesting to pass up.

“I like working with my hands on experimental work, and I am very interested in electronics and carbon nanotubes,” says Boyd. “I hope to be in the top of the electronics field soon.” 

Boyd is currently a third year graduate student in the Industrial Leadership in Physics (ILP) program at Georgetown, a unique opportunity wherein students complete three semesters and one summer of coursework, and then enter a one-year internship with a company or lab to do work in an industrial setting. After that year, students may either stay at the company or lab in order to complete their thesis, or they can return to Georgetown to complete it there.  Boyd’s internship took place at the Army Research Lab, and he credits his time in Dr. Barbara’s clean room as a critical contribution to his ability to secure such a valuable work experience.

Boyd is currently working on his Ph.D. thesis and has extended his undergraduate work with Dr. Barbara toward that end. For their research, Boyd and Dr. Barbara will test their theory about the interaction between gas and the metal contacts used in experiments on carbon nanotubes.

“As an undergraduate, I worked on a carbon nanotube chemical gas sensor,” explains Boyd.  “We used a single nanotube, but now I will be using a thin film carbon nanotube for the device.  For my Ph.D., I will be doing that again, except with a different device design and with a more focused view and understanding. We are adjusting the device to further our knowledge of what causes the change in conductance through the carbon nanotubes when they are exposed to gas.” 

When Boyd first arrived at Georgetown, he was not sure which area of study he would pursue, but it didn’t take long until he settled on physics.

“I was drawn into the program due to its small size and very comfortable feel,” describes Boyd.  “The faculty does a great job of making undergraduates feel at home, and since the department is small, it allows the professors more time to help each student. I’ve enjoyed how much Dr. Barbara, in particular, pays attention to details whenever you are giving a presentation or even talking about a project.”

When Boyd has finished his Ph.D., he would like to work for a large aerospace defense company such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, or General Dynamics, where he can put his background in Dr. Barbara’s lab to good use. When he’s not in the lab, Boyd enjoys playing video games and spending time with his wife and dog.

“While working with Dr. Barbara, the most important lesson I learned was that of persistence and patience,” he explains. “It is very easy to become dejected and to waste time spinning your wheels, but in the end, the research can be very rewarding.”

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