A couple of weeks ago, I attended the ASM International Materials Camp at Drexel University from June 22 to 26. During my week at Drexel University, I learned a lot about topics like nanomaterials, biomaterials, ceramics, metals, and materials science in general through lectures, labs, and activities. I specifically enjoyed learning about MXenes, which are atom-thin, 2D materials with incredibly useful properties.
One of my favorite experiences was the visit to the Boeing Helicopter plant in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, where we toured the assembly lines for the Chinook and V-22 Osprey helicopters. We also visited the labs there where they conducted many experiments for designing these helicopters, such as testing materials' strength through tensile testing. I was very excited since it was my first time visiting such a huge plant. I also found the lab tours at Drexel University very exciting as well; I was particularly fascinated by their trasmission electron microscope (TEM), and was even able to bring home an image of a specimen using the TEM as a souvenir.
I think one of the most valuable things I left this camp with was seeing firsthand what it would be like to study and do materials science and engineering (MSE) in college and in the commercial industry. I got to know and talk to so many different people whose professions were all about MSE, whether they be an undergraduate student, professor, or Boeing engineer. It demonstrated to me just how interdisciplinary of a field MSE is.