64th Annual STS (2004-2005)
Finalists
Stephen Jacob DeVience

ILLINOIS
Stephen Jacob DeVience, 18, of Chicago, designed, developed and demonstrated the functional feasibility of a novel photoelectric effect spectrophotometer (PES) based solely on the use of a reverse-biased phototube for his Intel Science Talent Search in engineering. While working in the laboratory he constructed in his home basement, Steve built his PES with no mechanical parts - only a phototube - making his device a rugged substitute for the generally delicate and expensive conventional instrument used today (which consists of a monochromator with prisms, gratings and diodes) that researchers use to identify chemicals and their relative concentrations. Steve believes his PES can be built more cheaply than the devices currently available. Steve is first in his class of 195 at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, where he serves on the yearbook staff, performs community service with the Hesburgh Scholars Program and was an all-state biology winner in a Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering competition. His ambitions are to attend MIT in preparation for a career in biological engineering, and researching new drugs and vaccines. Steve's parents are Mark and Andrea DeVience.