Three high school seniors from the Five Towns competed as finalists in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angles, Calif., from May 8 to 13.

Nathan Akhavan and Benjamin Goldman, students at Rambam Mesivta High School in Lawrence, won as the first place team and received $3,000 from the U.S. Air Force and took third place and collected $1,000 in the Grand Awards in the Energy and Transportation category.

Both conducted their research under the direction of Dr. Miriam Rafailovich at SUNY Stony Brook. The students created a polymer solar cell with improved efficiency that incorporated graphene (a honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms) and graphene oxide that they synthesized themselves.

Inwood resident and Lawrence High School student Abraham Killanin won $1,000 from the National Anti-Vivisection Society for his project, conducted with partner Evan Schneider of Roslyn High School also under the guidance of Dr. Rafailovich that investigated the safety of nanoparticles with adult stem é which repair tissue that has dead or injured cells).

They tested the effect of nanoparticles (microscopic particles that are being used in medicine and cosmetics) on dental stems and found that gold nanoparticles allowed cells to grow, but at a slower rate and didn’t penetrate the nucleus. Platinum nanoparticles penetrate the nucleus, kill stem cells and cause them to turn into possible early bone cells, and should be used carefully in products applied to the body, their research found.

Coached by research teacher, Rebecca Isseroff, they look forward to continue in the field of science research. More than 1,500 young entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists were selected from 443 affiliate fairs in 65 countries, regions and territories to compete in this fair, the world’s largest high school science research competition.

(Source: LI Herald)