I really enjoyed the style of laboratory work in my first year studying Physics at Imperial College, so I wanted to gain some experience in a research environment outside of my studies. I was particularly interested in graphene as someone interested in the future of renewable energy sources, and I had read about its many potential applications (e.g., energy harvesting and storage) due to its incredible properties. Therefore, I was drawn to Paragraf as one of the only companies in this field combining product development with this area of research, and this offered something completely new for me to get stuck into. What I find most valuable about Paragraf is the opportunity to work on ideas that have no current answer and I have learnt so much from the expertise of the team.
My primary project was to develop a new test for Paragraf’s Graphene Hall Sensor (GHS) devices after they had been fully processed and packaged, and to investigate the results of that test. This involved putting the devices under thermal shock to analyse reliability. The project really expanded on my interest and experience analysing lab data, particularly during the challenge of becoming familiar with the equipment (which hadn’t been used!) and adjusting the test approach when it didn’t result in the desired outcome. This was a completely new skill for me – considering how to optimize a test procedure and how to ensure data is valid and good quality. I became so familiar with the equipment, I drafted the official documentation on the tool and procedure use.
Following my tests, I also was able to consider the results by optical microscopy, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Atomic Force Mapping to understand what was happening inside the devices.
Outside of this project, I also got the opportunity to develop my Python skills by automating some tricky data analysis and extraction on a previous and ongoing project. This also gave me insight to the company’s database structure and the software underpinning the many projects at Paragraf.
I am returning to my second year at Imperial, feeling more confident about my lab competence and my ability to think creatively. One skill I have really improved is my ability to present and explain my findings, which I was encouraged to do at Paragraf. I will hope to improve on this during a module next year where I have the opportunity to teach in a secondary school. While still very early in my career, my time at Paragraf has given me an amazing insight into the research and development industry.
Sarah is a Physics student at Imperial College London. She joined Paragraf as an intern in Summer 2024.
