Physics & Astronomy Colloquium – THURS. 27th September – DR. JERRY BATTISTA, Western

In 2 weeks’ time …

Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2012_2013/BATTISTA%20Colloquium.pdf

 

Western University
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

 

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM

 

Date:           Thursday, 27th September 2012
Time:          1:30 p.m.
Location:    Physics & Astronomy *New* Seminar Room 100

 

Dr. J. J. Battista
Chair, Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University
Director, Physics Research & Education, London Regional Cancer Program

 

“Translational Research in Medical Physics: 1895 plus 100 years”

 

ABSTRACT

Medical Physics has contributed the basis for many technological advances that have resulted in improved diagnosis and therapy in modern medicine. In this seminar, we review the history of major physics and mathematical “breakthroughs” (e.g. x-rays, nuclear magnetic resonance, nuclear reactors, Radon/Fourier transforms) that have laid the scientific foundation for diagnostic radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radiation used in cancer therapy. The focus of this talk will be on mapping the timeline from fundamental discovery to initial clinical application (i.e. successfully crossing the valley of translational research). This historical perspective is expected to spark a lively discussion on the need to strike a reasonable balance in funding between fundamental and applied physics research.

 

Objectives:

  • To define “Translational Research” in the context of Medical Physics
  • To review the impact of modern physics on diagnostic imaging (x-rays, CT, MRI) and cancer therapy (Cobalt-60, Tomotherapy)
  • To map out the timelines from physics discovery to medical application
  • To define the roles of fundamental and applied research

— Refreshments will be available —

NEW:CARD READER ACCESS TO PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY BUILDING going LIVE

At some point this week, (probably by Wednesday morning) ALL the perimeter doors to the building will be by CARD ACCESS only (after normal hours). The doors are ‘AUTO OPEN” from 7am to 10 pm weekdays ONLY. Weekends and holidays, they are closed and will require a registered “Western One” card. (Generally, if you can access the mailroom or the PASA club room, your card is registered for access to this building.) Access by key will become obsolete once the exterior card readers are all activated.

Jokes from the desk of a grad student: Vol 7 #westernu

Q: What did the male magnet say to the female magnet?
A: From your backside, I thought you were repulsive. However, after seeing you from the front, I find you rather attractive.

There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program: your tax dollar will go farther.

What kind of star wears sunglasses? A movie star.

How did the astronaut serve drinks? In sun-glasses.

Astronomer 1: So, anyway, the cop pulled me over for running the red light. I explained to him that I did not see the light as red, since I was traveling towards it and it was blue-shifted.

Astronomer 2: And he let you go?

Astronomer 1: No, he gave me a speeding ticket instead.

 

Physics & Astronomy Colloquium – THURS. 20th Sept. – DR. JOHN BUSH, MIT Math

Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2012_2013/BUSH%20Colloquium.pdf

 

Western University
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

 

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM

 

Date:           Thursday, 20th September 2012
Time:          1:30 p.m.
Location:    Physics & Astronomy *New* Seminar Room 100

 

Dr. John Bush
Department of Mathematics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

 

“Quantum behavior at a macroscopic scale: Droplets walking on the impossible pilot wave”

 

ABSTRACT

 

Yves Couder and coworkers have recently discovered that droplets walking on a vibrating fluid bath exhibit several features previously thought to be peculiar to the microscopic, quantum realm, including single-particle diffraction and interference, tunneling, quantized orbits and orbital level splitting. Theoretical developments provide rationale for the complex behavior of the bouncing droplets, and yield a trajectory equation for the walking droplets. A correspondence is developed between this fluid system and de Broglie’s relativistic pilot-wave theory of quantum mechanics. New experiments are presented, and indicate the potential value of this hydrodynamic system for both visualizing and understanding quantum mechanics.

Refreshments will be available.

PhD Public Lecture – MON. 17th Sept @ 10 a.m. – ERIC BARBAGIOVANNI

Department of Physics and Astronomy

 

PhD Public Lecture

 

Eric Barbagiovanni
Supervisors: Dr. Lyudmila Goncharova and Dr. Peter Simpson

 

“Influence of Quantum Dot Structure on the Optical Properties of Group IV Materials Fabricated by Ion-Implantation”

 

DATE:             MONDAY, 17th September 2012
TIME:              10:00 a.m.
PLACE:            P&A New Seminar Room PAB 100

 

All are welcome to attend.