Daniela Cao
Mary Gates Research Scholar
Winter 2023
Major: Civil Engineering
Mentor: Travis Thonstad, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Project
Research Project:The Corrosion Behavior of NiTi SMA Coupled With Steel Rebar in Infrastructure Applications
The desired outcome of this project is to characterize the potential for corrosion-induced degradation in concrete infrastructure reinforced with coupled steel rebar and NiTi SMA bars. This project can be separated into three tasks: Experimental Preparation, Electrochemical tests, and Revealing corrosion rate.
What I learned
This experience enhances my education by allowing me to independently conduct research in a laboratory environment, learn new topics about corrosion degradation by using shape memory alloys, and techniques outside of the curriculum such as potentiostat, and interpret and analyze data.
Advice for future applicants
My advice is starting the essay as early as possible and go to the writing workshop to get the feedback. This can boost the efficiency of revising the essay. Also, set up weekly appointments with the mentor to supervise the progress of the research would be helpful of moving forward on the right track. Don’t forget to be proactive self reliance!
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