Jobin Binu Daniel
Jobin Binu Daniel - Class of 2022
Summer of 2020
The study of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and their practical applications in the construction industry may not be part of a traditional high school science curriculum, but it has been the focus for New Rochelle High School junior Jobin Binu Daniel over the past few months. Jobin has worked alongside his mentor to identify ways in which CNFs can enhance the mechanical properties, such as the strength and durability of concrete bricks.
When Jobin began his research, he was focused on the broad study of mechanical engineering. Over time, however, he became more and more interested in the elasticity of various materials and eventually chose to focus his time and energy on CNFs and how they can be used to improve the use of concrete bricks for construction purposes.
“Bricks are used for the construction of massive projects like bridges and houses, but are often viewed as brittle,” said Jobin. “Concrete bricks don’t garner as much attention, but they have practical applications, working as noise barriers in airports and other high-traffic areas as well as for decorative purposes.”
Jobin found that CNFs significantly increased the mechanical properties of concrete bricks, thus can be used for real-world applications.
He intends on pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering upon graduation next year.
Summer of 2021
Given the immediate and pressing nature of the climate change crisis, it is no surprise that researchers of all ages and experience levels are focusing their research on various aspects of the issue. This includes New Rochelle High School senior Jobin Binu Daniel, who conducted a study on the effects of concrete bricks on climate change.
Binu Daniel’s original research focused on carbon nanofibers that are used to enhance concrete bricks and the effect those materials might have on the environment. His intention was to write a paper on this niche topic, but he decided to take a step back and take a broader look at the impact of concrete bricks on climate change, as not much research exists in that subject.
“I wasn’t able to conduct in-person research due to the COVID pandemic, so I mainly researched and analyzed various journal articles and found data from previous research to create my own statistical analysis,” said Binu Daniel.
Binu Daniel was particularly interested in the relationship between variables in the studies, and specifically focused on carbon dioxide emissions from concrete bricks over time. What he found was that the production of concrete bricks significantly impacts climate change in the level of carbon dioxide emissions it creates. This indicates the degree to which construction industries in general contribute to climate change and helps shed some light on the importance of the increasing focus on sustainable building.
Binu Daniel was appreciative of the opportunity to conduct research on a topic he cares about, and believes the Science Research Program has prepared him for future scientific research and presentations in college and beyond. His project was so impressive that he won first place in the local division at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
“There aren’t that many opportunities like [the Science Research Program] that allow kids to conduct research, but through this program I was able to not only conduct research, but share my ideas with others and prepare presentations about my findings,” he said.