I think a simulation best suit your situation since you are lacking 4 important elements.

Apparently you are still lucky because I did my undergrad FYP on nanotech with lots of problem such as:
1) almost no funding (used less than RM1000)
2) plenty of broken down equipment
3) borrowed resources
4) time wasted by the equipment operator (you take turns in analyzing samples even if you are early)

For my suggestion, you should try creating a computer simulation for the ZnO thin film growth cos there are tons of research done on it before.
Just find the right formulas and parameter to make it happen and you can suggest Excel to your supervisor.

Don't complicate yourself because its going to delay your progress.

This post has been edited by altan: Oct 6 2009, 08:24 AM

That's the beauty of "collaboration" or the so called borrowing chemical reagents and analysis time off peers.
Beside, that's why scientist have to know a lot of people in order to get something done.
Here an interesting quote I heard from an interesting talk I went yesterday at Academy Science Malaysia



I didn't get the quote exactly right but close enough

I hope I'm not going off topic...

This post has been edited by altan: Oct 11 2009, 08:59 AM