In addition to the very helpful advice already posted by Prof Gary Grossman, I reached out to him regarding advice on how to structure an email to successfully find potential graduate advisors. I am sharing his response in case it would be helpful to a larger audience:
I think an introductory email with your vita (include your GPA and GRE scores and any reprints you have), and a statement of why you want to work with that specific professor works well. I don't think it's necessary to have a specific project in mind, in fact that may work against you, but describing why you want to work in the general area that the professor's group is working in, is very helpful. Be polite, ask if they're currently taking on students and if they have funding or have to possibility to arrange funding via TA ships. Then after their response, if it's positive you could arrange a phone call and a visit. Few faculty have funds to pay for student visits but it will be worth it to see how simpatico you are and also this will give you a chance to talk to current students and see lab facilities. Best of luck to all!
