Monthly Archives: November 2011

Colloquium or presentation, Physics and Astronomy at Western What's Happening

Theoretical Physics Seminar – TODAY @ 2:30 – DR. LATHAM BOYLE, Perimeter Institute

TODAY

Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2011_2012/BOYLE%20Theoretical%20Physics%20Colloquium.pdf

The University of Western Ontario
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

THEORETICAL PHYSICS SEMINAR

Date:               FRIDAY, 18th November 2011
Time:              2:30 p.m.
Location:        Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22

Dr. Latham Boyle
Cosmology & Gravitation

Perimeter Institute

“New windows on black holes and the very early universe”

ABSTRACT

The following two assertions are widely believed by physicists, but have been hard to confirm convincingly:

(i)       the space-time near a black hole is described by Kerr’s beautiful 1963 solution of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity; and

(ii)      the very early universe experienced a burst of accelerated expansion (“inflation”).

I will discuss new strategies to test these statements. First, I will suggest a strategy to detect light rays that are bent by large angles as they pass near a black hole. Second, I will explain how forthcoming cosmological observations may align in a way that would convince even a hardened skeptic that inflation is correct.

Colloquium or presentation, Physics and Astronomy at Western What's Happening

REMINDER – Phys&Astr PhD Public Lecture – TODAY @ 1 p.m. – DUSTIN HAW

TODAY

 

Department of Physics and Astronomy

 

PhD Public Lecture

 

Dustin Haw

Supervisor: Dr. Blaine Chronik

 

“High power systems for dynamic field control and shielding in the MR environment”

 

DATE:            FRIDAY, 18th November 2011

TIME:             1:00 p.m.

PLACE:         Physics & Astronomy Room 22

 

All are welcome to attend.

Colloquium or presentation, Physics and Astronomy at Western What's Happening

Elizabeth Laird Lecture – Thurs. 1st Dec. – DR. LEONARD C. FELDMAN, Rutgers & Vanderbilt U

The University of Western Ontario
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

 

ELIZABETH LAIRD MEMORIAL LECTURE

 

 

Thursday, 1st December 2011
3:30 p.m. in the McKellar Room (UCC290)

 

 

Dr. Leonard C. Feldman
Professor of Physics and Materials Science and Engineering
Rutgers the State University and Vanderbilt University

 

 

“The Materials Revolution”

 

Abstract: Modern materials research includes engineering with atoms, the molecule-by-molecule attack of a cancer growth, collecting the sun’s energy with nanocrystals, exploiting the quantum world for computing, defining a stem cell by mechanical deformation and bringing the quantum world to the human experience in an ultra-small solid!

Materials science is the prime example of interdisciplinary research at its best. Extraordinary accomplishments range from Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics to society-changing applications. These accomplishments are underpinned by the technology revolution that brought us to this point in time, and will drive societal changes for the foreseeable future. Currently, the forefront of materials science is at the nano-scale. The nanometer, about four atoms long, exploits the progress of the last century in understanding the atom, and the collection of atoms that constitute a solid. Advances in nano-scale materials are envisioned as the solution to some of the dominant technological problems facing our world¾conservation of energy and environment, water purification and propagating the information revolution. This talk highlights research directed to these advances, including new results in organic electronics, nano-scale desalination and the sophisticated control of materials interfaces for efficient energy use. But, as in all research, it is the future serendipitous discoveries of creative young scientists at well-prepared institutions that will extend the revolution to new ways of thinking and breath-taking new technologies.