Plasma science & engineering research
The Go Research Group largely works with non-thermal plasma technologies in order to decarbonize goods production, ranging from chemicals production and materials synthesis to advanced manufacturing. Non-thermal plasmas can operate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (you can touch them!) and thus could replace fossil-fuel intensive high temperature and pressure industrial processes. Undergraduates would work with Dr. Go and his lab to identify a hypothesis-driven research project complementary to existing research in his lab. Most projects are expected to be experimental, but computational and analytical projects are also possible. Plasma science and engineering sits at the interface of mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering as well as physics and chemistry. Students from any degree program are welcome to apply.
Dr. Go has mentored more than 60 undergraduate students from Notre Dame and other schools in departments including AME, CBE, EE, physics, and chemistry. Several of those students have gone on to successfully complete graduate degrees at schools including the University of California-Berkley, University of Illinois, Georgia Tech, MIT, Purdue University, and more. Many have co-authored journal articles and/or also appeared as co-inventors on patents. It's a good place for students to explore what research is and discern whether they would flourish with a career in research.