Laptops, smart phones and game consoles – they’ve become a part of our everyday lives, but overuse can lead to problems.

In an effort to remedy those problems, one U. Central Florida professor has received a $300,000 grant to use toward research on a product that will help lower the temperature of electronics, enabling them to work longer and more efficiently.

Quanfang Chen, a professor in the Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering Department, received the notice earlier this month that his research on the thermal conductivity of carbon composites would receive the grant from the National Science Foundation.

“This research is one of the most innovative works being conducted in MMAE,” said Louis Chow, interim chair of MMAE and associate dean for research and administration. “This project is very innovative because it has been tested numerous times in the past, but it never had success.”

His project seeks to use electrochemical processes to enhance the conductivity of alloys (any substance having a metal composition in it) at high temperatures.

The project, referred to as BiSn/CNT nanocomposite, consists of creating a “chip” that will help reduce the temperature of electronics.

The high temperature is caused by the fast movement of electrons that make electronics reach unfavorable temperatures.

“This is a highly transformative research that can have amazing results in the future, not just for electronics, but also for people,” Chen said. “The applications of the novel BiSn/CNT nanocomposite could create new jobs and business opportunities for UCF students, as well as students all over the country. The finished product could also assist to the recovery of the U.S. economy.”

The production process for the chip will take place at Chen’s MEMS and Nanomaterials lab at UCF and at UCF’s Ager Microfabrication lab, a user facility within the College of Engineering.

The finished project could have a major historical impact on advanced, high-power electronics including cars, airplanes, and even aerospace vehicles.

But before it gets there, Chen had to draft up a pitch.

He first proposed the project March 1 of this year, after which it was selected out of 10 projects proposed by other individuals and companies.

Due to the small size and lack of general understanding in the science branch of nanomaterials and nanoengineering, Chen wants to integrate the proposed research into teaching activities in nanomaterials and nanoscience technology.

He hopes to create new courses and facilitate the integration of research and education for UCF students interested in engineering, math and physics.

As part of the proposal he had to draft up to win the NSF award, he had to include how it would also improve student learning during the three years throughout which he would be receiving the funding.

The education plan includes:

•Plans to develop a new graduate course titled “Synthesis of Nanomaterials” that will enhance the curriculum on nanotechnology for the community at UCF.

•Improve and enrich several undergraduate and graduate courses including EML 5290: Introduction of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-systems (MEMS) and Microfabrication, EML 6296: MEMS Mechanism and Design and EML 6297: MEMS Characterization. The findings from the proposed research will be incorporated into these existing courses to allow students access to advancements in nanomaterials and nanoengineering.

•The proposed research will provide both graduate and undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in lucrative research projects. Two graduate student research assistants and at least one undergraduate student are expected to be directly involved in the proposed research during each year of the proposed three-year period.

Chen is also trying to spark interest in middle school and high school students by working with local school programs to implement nanoscience and nanotechnology into the curriculums.

“This is transformative technology that will trigger research and development, as well as production to benefit society by increasing and promoting a better quality of living for all of us,” Chen said.