The final year undergraduate research project work of Materials Science & Engineering graduate, Kaltrina Rahmani, has been published in Advanced Theory & Simulations. The work brings theoretical insight into a measurement technique Queen Mary University researchers developed to measure in-plane thermal conductivity of anisotropic materials. This work used a computational model to confirm that the measurement technique is accurate for essentially any thin film material.

Kaltrina, who conducted simulations in her final year project and then during a summer internship funded by the Royal Society reflected on her experience:

What did you enjoy about the project?

I really enjoyed having the independence to lead my own project. It gave me the chance to make decisions, take initiative, and still collaborate closely with my team. One of the best parts was learning a new software, something I’d never used before. It was definitely a challenge at first, but once I got the hang of it, it felt great to apply what I’d learned and see everything come together. I like watching the results take shape - it made the whole experience very rewarding.

What skills did you learn during the project?

I had to use COMSOL Multiphysics. It was something completely new to me, so it pushed me to adapt quickly and get comfortable with a complex software. At the same time, developed soft skills such as working closely with others on a team and this helped me build my communication. I got better at sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and finding solutions together as a team.

Did anything learned during the project enhance your employability?

Yes, definitely. The project not only gave me something to talk about in interviews, but also showed that I can quickly adapt to new challenges and work well in a team, which are important qualities that employers value.