Two MJH Life Sciencestm Publications Sponsor Student Award at 70th Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair

Spectroscopy^® and LCGCtm , two MJH Life Sciences^tm publications, are proud to announce that Lydia Neguse, a junior at California Academy of Mathematics and Science School in Carson, won the 2020 Most Outstanding Female in Chemistry or Chemical Analysis award at the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair, held virtually Friday, March 20. Neguse's project titled "Characterization of Lattice Distortion in SrTiO₃ Grown on LSAT Substrate Through Quantitative STEM Analysis" also received high marks in the chemistry category for all participants in grades 9-12.

"We are so honored to be part of the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair this year," Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences^tm, said. "The Most Outstanding Female in Chemistry or Chemical Analysis award recognizes the importance of young female scientists who represent the next generation of the profession, and we congratulate Lydia on her accomplishments and outstanding success in the field of chemistry."

The award was given for the most outstanding project in chemistry or chemical analysis by a female student in grades 9-12. In her winning project, Neguse worked to characterize the chemical compounds of STO and LSAT. STO is an acronym for strontium titanate, an oxide of strontium and titanium having the chemical formula SrTiO₃. LSAT consists of the elements lanthanum, strontium, aluminum and tantalum manufactured as a hard, optically transparent oxide with the chemical formula (LaAlO₃)_0.3(Sr₂TaAlO₆)_0.7. Neguse sought to determine if there is a significant and measurable difference for Ti distribution between STO-STO and STO-LSAT composite structures.

For her project, Neguse created STO-STO and STO-LSAT films using molecular beam epitaxy and cut them to a workable size using a focused ion beam. She then measured cross-sectional images of the films using high-angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) procedures while operating the STEM system at 200 kilovolts. From these images she constructed a map of vectors showing displacement of expected positions of Ti atoms. Neguse concluded that the Ti overall displacement, standard deviation of displacement and preferential direction were greater for STO-LSAT than for STO-STO. Overall, the project demonstrated an understanding of performing a complete characterization experiment on complex optical materials.

Neguse gives credit for assistance in her winning project to her lab group, Stemmer Lab, and to the group's respective principal investigator, Susanne Stemmer?and to her mentor, Salva Salmani Rezaie.

About MJH Life Sciencestm

MJH Life Sciences^tm is the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels, providing health care professionals with the information and resources they need to optimize patient outcomes. MJH combines the reach and influence of its powerful portfolio of digital and print product lines, live events, educational programs and market research with the customization capabilities of a boutique firm. Clients include world-leading pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. For more information, please visit https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/.

About Spectroscopy^®

Spectroscopy^® is a multimedia platform dedicated to analytical spectroscopy through peer-reviewed articles, tutorials, web seminars and more. Spectroscopy^® aims to enhance productivity, efficiency and the overall value of spectroscopic instruments and methods as a practical analytical technology across a variety of fields. The magazine and its website provide scientists, technicians and laboratory managers with content to help them improve their practice.

About LCGCtm

LCGCtm is the largest global chromatography multimedia platform dedicated to the separation sciences. Combining all the resources of the regional editions (LCGCtm North America, LCGCtm Europe and LCGCtm Asia-Pacific), chromatographyonline.com is the premier global digital resource for unbiased, peer-reviewed technical information on the field of chromatography and the separation sciences. LCGCtm delivers practical information that can help lab professionals become more proficient in the use of chromatographic techniques and instrumentation, thereby making laboratories more productive and businesses around the world more successful.