Vincent Weisi Huang
Syosset High School
Syosset, NY
A Smart Computer Program LauePt4 for Recognizing and Simulating Laue Patterns and Its Applications
Vincent Huang developed a computer program to address a longstanding obstacle in crystallography: how to easily determine a crystal’s internal atomic structure. Using his software, he found a way to identify unknown crystals and determine their interior lattice orientation, which may help speed crystal identification and processing in computer chip manufacturing.
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Vincent Huang, 17, of Syosset, developed a computer program to address a longstanding obstacle in crystallography for his Regeneron Science Talent Search materials science project: how to easily determine a crystal’s internal atomic structure. A technique called white-beam topography uses X-rays sent through the crystal, which reflects light in a specific pattern, called the Laue pattern, depending on what it is made of (quartz, silicone, etc.).
Existing methods for identifying Laue patterns in unknown crystals are time-consuming and expensive, so, using geometric principles, Vincent wrote a computer program that simulates a crystals’ Laue pattern and interior lattice orientation to determine the material.
Vincent published this project as first author in the Journal of Applied Crystallography. He believes this work may speed crystal processing and help reduce shortages of computer chips.
In addition to captaining the debate team at Syosset High School, Vincent is passionate about Formula One racing, completed a two-month internship at Ferrari leading a team of students in designing an electric “super-car,” and hopes to one day be the technical director of a Formula One team. His parents are Yi Shen and Xianrong Huang.
Beyond the Project
Vincent co-founded a boot camp with fellow ISEF finalists to teach students about research using machine learning. The boot camp raised $6,000 for Teach for America.
FUN FACTS: A massive racing fan, Vincent has founded a Formula One and vintage motorsport-inspired streetwear brand for which he is the chief designer.
