Project Info
Quantum Materials Discovery
Kamil Ciesielski
kciesielski@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
We are working on discovery of new materials with frustrated vanadium lattices. Such materials can host interacting quantum phenomena. Through VIPER program (see link below), in the 2024/25 academic year we were working with four students to learn single crystal synthesis, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Our participants not only exceeded in technical skills, but also managed to discover 16 new ternary compounds, mostly from Ca-V-Sn and Sc-V-Sn chemical spaces.
In Fall 2026 semester our current VIPER students are planned to become near-peer mentors for the two new cohort of undergraduates. With this approach, we to foster their growth not only as scientists, but also future leaders. The scientific goals of Fall 2025 is growth of bigger (>1mm) single crystal of the materials we discovered, as well as their characterization from magnetic, and thermodynamic perspective. We also hope to be able to probe their electrical transport in magnetic fields.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.
VIPER program: https://undergraduateresearch.mines.edu/viper/
Our VIPER team: https://undergraduateresearch.mines.edu/viper-pioneering-energy-materials-for-a-sustainable-future-team-page/
Google scholar profile of the mentor (Dr. Kamil Ciesielski): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bn9RVIEAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Google scholar profile of the lab head: (Prof. Eric S. Toberer): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RSrCyzUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Primary Contacts:
Kamil Ciesielski, kciesielski@mines.edu
Eric Toberer, etoberer@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Experience with single crystal growth from metal flux, electron microscopy (scanning mode with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), X-ray diffraction (powder or single crystal). Preferred experience in VIPER (Vertically Integrated Projects for Experiential Research) program.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The students will become better scientists and will grow as leaders. They will improve their skill related to single crystal growth from metal flux and fundamental structural characterization through means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. Furthermore, they will also expand their capabilities by experiments that we will perform in our team (single crystal X-ray diffraction), as well as techniques performed in collaboration at Mines (magnetometry, differential thermal analysis). Last, but not the least, they will also learn how to help with learning of laboratory techniques, distribution of efforts, and data management of the new cohort, for which they will serve as near-peer mentors.
MENTORING PLAN
Our current students have already been undergoing preparation to the new role of near-peer mentors. Apart of continuous technical training, I also introduced them to one of our PhD students, who is not familiar with the techniques used at VIPER. Throughout last month, they had the opportunity to practice explaining our project and the research procedures to her, which I advised throughout when needed. This way, the students gained preparation to near-peer mentorship in a safe environment.
Apart of that, students developed detailed logbooks with step by-step procedure list, that they can refer to in a potential moments of doubt.
For the next semester, we plan to host monthly summary meetings, where we discuss the progress, difficulties, and opportunities of improvement in our work. Furthermore, I run several journal club meetings each semester, so that the student are able to put their work in context of the effort of broad scientific community.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior
Senior