title: Involving High School Students in Computational Physics University Research: Theory Calculations of Toluene Adsorbed on Graphene.
abstract: To increase public awareness of theoretical materials physics, a small group of high school students is invited to participate actively in a current research projects at Chalmers University of Technology. The Chalmers research group explores methods for filtrating hazardous and otherwise unwanted molecules from drinking water, for example by adsorption in active carbon filters. In this project, the students use graphene as an idealized model for active carbon, and estimate the energy of adsorption of the methylbenzene toluene on graphene with the help of the atomic-scale calculational method density functional theory. In this process the students develop an insight into applied quantum physics, a topic usually not taught at this educational level, and gain some experience with a couple of state-of-the-art calculational tools in materials research.
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Ericsson
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Teodor
authors: T
authors: Husmark
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Christoffer
authors: C
authors: Mathiesen
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Sepahvand
authors: Randaberg videregående skole, Grødemveien 70, NO-4070 Randaberg, Norway.
authors: Øyvind
authors: Ø
authors: Borck
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Gunnarsson
authors: Hulebäcksgymnasiet, Idrottsvägen 2, SE-435 80 Mölnlycke, Sweden.
authors: Pär
authors: P
authors: Lydmark
authors: Microtechnology and Nanoscience, MC2, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Elsebeth
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4995-3585
authors: E
authors: Schröder
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010825:Physics; D012106:Research; D013334:Students; D013499:Surface Properties; D014050:Toluene / Q000737:chemistry*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D014050:Toluene; D006108:Graphite