Ask-A-Scientist

Do you have questions about Nanotechnology? Nanotechnology experts at the University of South Florida are collaborating with Nano4Newbies to answer your questions.

Daniel Vilceus
I am a mechanical engineering student whose parents are natives of Haiti. I was born in Newark, New Jersey and was raised in Brandon, Florida, where I attended Brandon Senior High School.

What is my research about?
I intend to pursue research in the area of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). I like MEMS research because in order to manufacture micro mechanical, electrochemical and biosensor devices, you draw from a diverse number of engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, computer and even biomedical engineering.

How did I develop my interest in Science?
My first exposure to MEMS devices was in an optics course I took, where I learned about Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing (DLP) chip for projectors. I am currently in a dual degree program and will complete my Bachelor and Masters degrees in mechanical engineering concurrently in May 2008. My thesis deals with correlating nano scratch testing results of thin films with interfacial analysis performed by four point bend testing.

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