My Choice To Apply For A Master's Program In Material Science And Engineering

I am applying for M.Sc Material Science and Engineering, at Nanjing University of Science and Technology. My choice to apply for a master's program in Material Science and Engineering at the Nanjing University of Science and Technology is driven by my fervent desire to pursue a research career in the field of Material Science and Engineering.

I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry from university of Ilorin, Nigeria. My passion for science during my senior secondary level (A-level) resulting from interesting practical classes, led to the choice of Industrial Chemistry for my first degree. I excelled in every aspect of my education and I was a recipient of MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship from my sophomore year to my final year, which I wrote a national examination for and renewed yearly. Based on the recommendation of my teachers, I was a recipient of my departmental scholarship from my penultimate year to final year having the highest grades in departmental courses like Surface Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Dyestuff Chemistry, Polymer technology, Industrial methodology among others. Some related courses which i have found useful include: Metallurgy and Metals Fabrication, Surface Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Polymer Technology, Quality Control, Industrial Chemical Technology, Industrial Methodology, Detergent and Cosmetic Chemistry, Textile and Color Chemistry, Heat transfer, Unit operation, Dyestuff Chemistry, Instrumented method of analysis, Industrial Management, Element Food Science and Technology, Environmental Pollution, Sugar Technology, Fertilizer and Agrochemical, Applied Chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, Statistics for physical sciences and engineering. I dedicated ample time to understand the intricacies of every subject with respect to their various applications as a measure to increase my proficiency, and have exhibited keen interest in Material Sciences.

My decision to pursue graduate studies at the Nanjing University of Science and Technology is driven by the innovative research works going on the Department of Material Science and Engineering in the School of Material Science and Engineering. Especially the Nano Structural Center, this Includes structural analysis and deformation mechanism of nano structured materials, nano structural metal mechanics, electrochemical performance evaluation and enabling behaviour; application development research including nanomaterials, process development and nano device design and manufacturing.I was much more inspired by the school's state of the art facilities of materials characterization. There is no better place than here to achieve my dreams. The Department website shows strong faculty like Professor Youghao Zhao whose research areas include: Nanomaterials mechanical properties; Deformation mechanism; Structure characterization; Phase transformation and Thermal stability. It is my ultimate desire to advance my studies in one of this research area. My graduate studies will focus on the simultaneous increase in the ductility and strength of ultra-fine grained materials by employing Pre-existing deformation twins (PDTs) and Increasing the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs). This study will show a processing strategy to improve the ductility of UFG materials without any loss of strength. The Important facet of this proposed studies is to fabricate bulk UFG materials having high strength and good ductility using conventional manufacturing process available in the university. I will carry out tensile testing, do advance characterization using SEM, TEM, and XRD. Then develop a clear factor to counter the loss of strength in UFG materials.

I participated in a three months research experience in a paint company "Pemjolad Paint Industry" Lagos, Nigeria. I became familiarized with different materials used in the production of paint. I was exposed to the practicals of what has been taught in the classroom.I assisted in the production, measurement, overhaul, characterization, maintenance of different diesel engines, packaging and storage of the paint products. I was able to learn how different types of paint (Acrylic, Emulsion, Text coat e.t.c) were produced and how different colours were been mixed together to get the desired coloured paints. I was able to get the practical knowledge of how spectroscopy techniques were used in analysing paint products and this broaden my knowledge in one of my undergraduate courses titled Applied Spectroscopy.

I did my final year research in "Preparation, Characterization of Water-based Paint and Effects of Drying Time", During this research,I observed that many paints produced in Nigeria has been falling in some aspect of application for example chalking, inability to stay long (low shelf life), inability to retard heat, high drying time and not meeting the Nigeria Industry Standard such as Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). These standards range from viscosity, flammability, density and PH. I relayed this discovery with my supervisor and he explained that this is due to the failure of some paint Industries to carry out characterization after the production stage. I did characterization (physicochemical and Instrumental analysis) on the paint products. The physicochemical properties include effects of drying time, Corrosion, Mechanical and Thermal Stress, Specific Density and Viscosity. Different instrumental analysis was carried out such as SEM (scanning electron microscopy) to know the morphological image of the Paint, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) to know the functional groups present in the Paint, XRD (X-ray diffractometer) to gives information about the crystallographic nature of the Paint. I found out that chalking and low shelf life of paint can be improved by addition of polyvinyl acrylic (PVA) and formalin respectively. It was also found out that the fire retardant time of the paint can be extended by addition of 5 wt% of titanium dioxide. Five samples of various concentration were worked on for six months to prepared durable and user-friendly paints which were in line with the requirements set by SON.

To get profound into the experimental results, I also studied the thermal analysis of the paint, using the following software(s): Solid Work, ANSYS, and MatLab. This enabled me to get adequate experience in computational modeling. I have been motivated to study in China because she is a global leader in science, technology and engineering; thereby China becomes the prefect destination to achieve my aspiration of becoming an expert in the field of material sciences and engineering. China is the most favourable country for me to acquire best education based on its renowned method of teaching. It is one of the most diverse and multicultural country, studying in China will be a great avenue for me to learn Chinese cultures and language. Furthermore, a master degree in China will give me the advanced knowledge required to solve problems associated with major chemical industries in my country and the world at large. Financial support is also one of the important factors of studying in China, as China government is investing heavily in international students.

On completion of my program, I plan to find a position as a junior academia or researcher in Nigeria where I‘ll give back to my country the knowledge I have gained from China. Nigeria is a developing nation that is still growing in materials research and development. Nanomaterials is a burgeoning field in Africa. There are many research institute, public and private universities in Nigeria that would require my knowledge gained in a foreign country. So it will be easy for me to get a position in the academics or research institute. I believe my China education background will make me a world-class researcher in the field of Materials Science in Africa.

I am cognizant of the hardworking and perseverance necessary for research work, nevertheless I am sure that my drive and aptitude will see me through the challenge. I hope to have a long and mutually profitable association with NanjingUniversity of Science and Technology.

Thanks, in anticipation to your favorable consideration and acceptance.