March 2020 Student of the Month
Michael Thompson
Senior
When and where was your research experience? Tell us about your research.
I started my research experience at ORNL in the summer of 2017 analyzing how trace amounts of cerium affected the microstructure and properties of aluminum alloys. The Al-Ce alloy system was still fairly new, and we wanted to see how a new alloy would affect future alloys when introduced into the recycling stream. I was fortunate enough to be able to continue my research through the next few years conducting research on different aspects of the same alloy system using different processing methods (extrusion, AM etc.). My most recent research topic has been high temperature stability of the Al-Ce-Mg alloy after additive manufacturing.
How does the experience benefit you?
This experience has been instrumental in my success in classes and in the laboratory. I started as a community college student, so by the time I got to UT I already had a solid foundation in materials science. I learned the majority of my laboratory practices at the lab, and it made lab classes at UT much easier to get into. I couldn’t ask for a more helpful and supportive group to work with, and often found myself asking them about a topic that came up in class.
Do you have any advice for other students considering undergraduate research?
Don’t wait! Apply as soon as you can. I had no knowledge of the subject matter or even the area of research for my first internship. There are always opportunities out there, but you will never get the chance at them if you don’t apply for them. Even one summer internship will offer more than you may think.
What else are you involved in?
I’m a member of Tau Beta Pi and an interdisciplinary program for transfer students called TranSCEnD. I’m far from a traditional student as they come. I’ve got a wife and two goofball kids I spend all my extra time with outside school and research. I also get to travel with my group a few times a year to conferences and other national labs for experiments.
