JP Duminy

This project offered a new level of independence; I was free to take my research in the direction I wanted and explore my curiosities. This independence was initially intimidating but, once I found my footing, it made the project truly feel like my own.

This summer I had the opportunity to intern with the soft matter physics department, taking on an industrial project titled 'The Physics of Chocolate Fountains' supervised by Prof. David Fairhurst.

My project was experimental in nature, seeking to characterise the radial flow patterns of molten solids: understanding the physics behind these flows has diverse applications, from volcanology to chocolate production. Over the course of eight weeks I not only had the opportunity to explore a less-familiar area of physics, but also develop transferable skills beyond the lab.

This project offered a new level of independence; I was free to take my research in the direction I wanted and explore my curiosities.

This independence was initially intimidating but, once I found my footing, it made the project truly feel like my own. At the same time, my supervisor provided careful oversight and useful guidance that helped me stay on track. In this way I was able to develop both my independence but also my communication skills as I grew accustomed to requesting help from my supervisor or the post-docs. I also gained familiarity with academia and graduate level-physics, as I was given the opportunity to attend weekly meetings in the soft matter department and speak to PhD students, post-docs and professors alike.

My eight weeks with the soft matter department gave me invaluable experience that will serve me well in both my senior honours and MPhys projects, and for what lies beyond. I would strongly recommend other students to keep an eye out for these opportunities and take the time to email supervisors when they arise; the applications process was very straightforward, especially in comparison to the current hassle of applying to internships with multiple pre-assessments and interview rounds.