Sources: Audrey Polifka, apolifka@k-state.edu;
and Jennifer Anthony, 785-532-4321, anthonyj@k-state.edu
Pronouncer: Polifka is poe-lif-ka
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
Video available. Access at http://www.k-state.edu/media/webzine/research/index.html
News release prepared by: Kristin Hodges, 785-532-6415, khodges2@k-state.edu
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
K-STATE SOPHOMORE FROM QUINTER RESEARCHES 1xbet online casino REACTIONS AND WORK HAS POSSIBILITIES THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE LAB
MANHATTAN -- The research of one Kansas State University student involves numerous 1xbet online casino reactions and her experimental work has extensive possibilities beyond the laboratory.
Audrey Polifka, sophomore in 1xbet online casino engineering from Quinter, is working on a project 1xbet online casino began as a freshman with Jennifer Anthony, assistant professor of chemical engineering at K-State. Polifka's research 
involves the synthesis – which forms new materials by combining 1xbet online casino elements – of zeolitic materials and liquids composed of ions.
Polifka is working with zeolites -- minerals used as adsorbents -- that have nanometer-sized pores. Anthony said these materials have a wide range of 1xbet online casino compositions and numerous applications in 1xbet online casino separation and catalysis, which is the process of speeding up 1xbet online casino reactions. Examples of such applications include water softening, wastewater treatment and odor control.
&1xbet online casino ;Audrey has been working on synthesizing new materials, and thus far, she has developed several promising materials that we are working to characterize,&1xbet online casino ; Anthony said. &1xbet online casino ;The synthesis of a new zeolitic structure is in itself a noteworthy accomplishment.&1xbet online casino ;
Anthony said potential applications for the types of materials Polifka is creating include use in gas and water purification and coatings for sensors and other detection devices.
&1xbet online casino ;Audrey is naturally gifted in conducting scientific research,&1xbet online casino ; Anthony said. &1xbet online casino ;In fact, it is quite easy to forget that she is not a Ph.D. student, but an undergraduate researcher.&1xbet online casino ;
Polifka said part of her project is looking at the environmental advantages of synthesizing with ionic liquids.
&1xbet online casino ;We think ionic liquids can be a lot greener than using water for synthesis,&1xbet online casino ; she said. &1xbet online casino ;They don't release vapors, so the toxins aren't going to be released as they would when you're synthesizing with water.&1xbet online casino ;
Polifka presented the research project in October 2008 at an American Chemical Society regional conference in Lincoln, Neb. 1xbet online casino said presenting the research and the current results helped her get feedback from others in the chemical engineering field.
1xbet online casino plans to continue doing research while at K-State and said her project has given her much experience. Within her lab group, Polifka also has had experience making research presentations and keeping a lab book.
&1xbet online casino ;It's been my first chance to get into the lab and get hands-on experience, which has been great,&1xbet online casino ; she said.
Polifka's interest in science started in high school thanks to an eccentric chemistry teacher who also introduced her to the field of chemical engineering. 1xbet online casino liked that the subject area was challenging.
1xbet online casino said the College of Engineering at K-State has been both challenging and inviting.
&1xbet online casino ;I like it because I come from a small town,&1xbet online casino ; she said. &1xbet online casino ;I feel like the college is its own subgroup of the university and I can get to know everybody in my classes.&1xbet online casino ;
Polifka also is a member of the K-State women's rowing team. An athlete in high school, 1xbet online casino participated in volleyball, basketball and track. 1xbet online casino had never experienced rowing as a sport before coming to college.
&1xbet online casino ;I wanted to do a sport in college,&1xbet online casino ; she said. &1xbet online casino ;I could have done volleyball or basketball – just not at the Division I level. Academically I wanted to go to a Division I school, so rowing was an opportunity to do that and to challenge myself.&1xbet online casino ;
Polifka plans to pursue graduate studies in chemical engineering. 1xbet online casino would like to have a research career and eventually use her economics minor to be involved with the business side of the chemical engineering field.
A 2007 graduate of Hays High School, 1xbet online casino is the daughter of David Polifka, Quinter, and Diane Polifka, Hays.
