Electroluminescent materials are commonly used in nightlights and in backlighting for liquid crystal displays. Is what happens when materials give off light when an electric current or electric field is passed through it. It’s a measure of energy per unit charge. “Look to your peers and work together,” she suggests.Įven if studying physics is hard at times, don’t give up! “You can accomplish whatever you want to accomplish, so don't listen to any negativity and work hard,” Marta says. Fellow students are another great resource if you’re struggling with something. “Seek out mentors of any background as long as they’re supportive,” Marta says. It’s important to realize that you never have to study physics-or anything else-alone. You might stumble across something that interests you for life and turns into a rewarding and challenging career. “Take whatever opportunities you have to learn new things,” she says. Marta tells students to study hard in science and math courses. A background in physics prepares you to solve problems and think critically, skills that open up different areas of research and employment. But there is a payoff for all this hard work: “People assume you are smart!” she says. “I always seemed to study more and have less time for socializing than my roommates,” Marta says. Having a career in physics requires hard work and dedication. Her work has applications in light-emitting devices, diodes for displays, and even flexible light-emitting materials. Marta's lab is experimenting with adding metals to the molecule of interest, in hopes that this will improve the electroluminescence of the molecule. She’s interested in electroluminescence properties and improving them, she says. Now, Marta’s main project deals with synthesizing molecules that can give off light when they’re hit with light or when voltage is applied. ![]() The focus of her research has shifted from knee cartilage to light-emitting materials. Marta gets ample opportunities to learn new things while she works on her latest research projects. “I enjoy interacting with my students most, but I also love having to continually learn new things,” she says. Marta teaches undergraduate students of all levels and backgrounds, from humanities students to physics majors, at Spelman College. “So physics was the one for me,” she said. While there, she took a number of different science classes, but she found that she didn’t like biology because of the dissection requirement, and since she had a fear of chemicals, chemistry was out. With her parents’ encouragement, she applied and was accepted to a high school with a special science and math program. Marta knew she wanted a career in science or math. She was also inspired by her teacher who was an African–American woman like herself. Marta loved studying rocks, volcanoes and magnetic forces. She first realized she was interested in physics when she took a physical sciences class in eighth grade. ![]() By the time she was 11, she had asked her parents for and received a telescope. “I liked the idea that there was a process to learn and problems to solve in math and science, and I remember thinking of other topics, like history, as dates and things to memorize,” says Marta.Įarly Beginnings: Astronomy and Earth Science She remembers being interested in math and science as early as fifth grade. Marta grew up in a suburb outside of Washington, DC.
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