UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 35, Page 12
June 23, 1994
First Bill N. Baron fellowships presented by IEC

     The first recipients of the Bill N. Baron Fellowships were
presented awards on Honors Day at the Institute of Energy Conversion
(IEC).
     The fellowships are designated for a graduate or undergraduate
student at the University who is conducting or has recently completed
an exceptional piece of supervised research in engineering, science or
energy policy in the renewable energy field.
     A strong preference is given to those graduate and undergraduate
students involved in research that emphasizes photovoltaics.
     Sandeep Verma, a 1992 University doctoral recipient, was awarded
the graduate student fellowship. His thesis, entitled "A Chemical
Reactor and Reaction Analysis of the Fabrication of Copper Indium
Diselenide by Selenization," has led to six different scholarly
publications and also has had a major commercial impact.
     Both Siemens Solar Industries and Martin Marietta have recognized
Verma's fundamental work in reaction and reactor analysis as having
exceptional value in helping to develop commercial-scale reactors.
     The undergraduate fellowship recipient was Laurie E. Adkins, who
received her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at
Commencement.
     She worked at IEC for two years under the University's Science
and Engineering Scholars Program and was a summer student employee.
Adkins pursued innovative approaches to the synthesis of thin films
for use in solar cells. Data obtained from her research was an
important contribution to a portion of a paper currently under review
for publication.
     The late Mr. Baron worked at the University from 1975 to 1992 as
a scientist, manager and deputy director of IEC.
     He was especially interested in students and their education and
taught both graduates and undergraduates how to carry out creative and
effective research in photovoltaics.
     The Baron family, colleagues and friends have contributed nearly
$27,000 to establish the endowment that funds the fellowships.
     Individuals nominated to be considered as fellowship award
recipients are recommended by faculty in chemistry, physics, chemical
engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials
science and urban affairs and public policy.
     The fellowship selection  committee includes the vice provost for
research and development, IEC director and a member of the Baron
family.
     T.W. Fraser Russell, Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical
Engineering and IEC director, presented remarks at the ceremony.