Guannan (Roger) Wang, Horseheads High School, Horseheads, New York
Middle States Region Silver Medal Winner

Thin Film Assemblies of Gold Nanoparticles: Correlation between the Nanostructural Parameters and Conductivity Properties

In his materials science project, Guannan (Roger) Wang has established a quantitative explanation for the conductive properties of gold nanoparticle films. His research may help improve the design and development of high-sensitivity sensors. Nanomaterials, such as nanoparticle thin films, have a bright future in sensing technology with possible uses in health, homeland security and information storage. Dr. Chuan-Jian Zhong, Research Director and professor, SUNY Binghamton, was his mentor.

Born in China, Guannan Wang moved to the U.S. at age four. His love for science stems from his father, who used to bring his son to his polymer materials science lab at Cornell University. This high school senior still remembers his first science experiment: examining the difference between his and his father's hair as viewed under a light microscope. A violinist for seven years, Mr. Wang performs with the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Fluent in Chinese, his hobbies include swimming and listening to music. In the future, he plans to pursue a career in medicine.