News
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $218 million in funding for 85 research awards nationwide in the important emerging field of Quantum Information Science (QIS). The awards were made in conjunction with the White House Summit on Advancing American Leadership in QIS, highlighting the high priority that the Administration places on advancing this multidisciplinary area of research, which is expected to lay the foundation for the next generation of computing and information processing as well as an array of other innovative technologies.
University of Wisconsin, Madison Physics Department, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was awarded one of these awards. This will be a collaboration between subatomic physicists (Balantekin, Palladino), and quantum information physicists (Coppersmith, Saffman) in the Physics Department. The project will explore the ways in which quantum computing and information processing provide insights into dark matter, particularly dark matter detection and neutrino physics. The P.I. of the award, Prof. Baha Balantekin said "This is a transformative project for the UW Physics Department, combining several subdisciplines of physics which represent core competencies of the Physics Department. We expect the effort to substantially grow beyond the initial funding period to strengthen the UW leadership in this frontier area."
Physics major, Alex Mahnke, presented his idea for a wearable with light sensors that create safer options for students, construction workers, and others traveling or working in low-light situations.
There’s significant value in a student receiving help from a peer, says Amihan, who has a Ph.D. in physics.
“This is someone they can relate to, someone who just recently had the same experience as they did in that same classroom,” she says. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve learned from one of our peer tutors how to better explain a complicated concept to a student.”
Stefan Westerhoff, a professor in the physics department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018, after a long illness. He was 50.
Stefan’s colleagues and friends are deeply saddened by his passing and will remember him for his sharp mind, a witty sense of humor, his comforting voice and presence, and an amiable, generous, and straightforward personality. His legacy as a mentor leaves behind a cohort of scientists, not only in the IceCube and HAWC collaborations but also in other astronomy and astrophysics communities he was once a member of.
A memorial service for Stefan Westerhoff will be held on August 25 in Madison. It will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Alumni Lounge in the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street.
Kevin Langhoff working with Professor Vernon Barger
Kangbo Li working with Professor Robert McDermott
Yiwen (Jerry) Zhang working with Professor Mark Rzchowski
The 22nd volume of The Wisconsin Physicist provides a view of the UW-Madison Physics Department in 2017. This annual newsletter for friends and alumni brings you the best stories of the year, some science scoops and "what's what" in the department.
Previous editions may be found here.
George Ott, Electrical Engineer in High Energy Physics from 10/01/1967 until his retirement on 11/30/2007, passed away on February 12, 2018. He was 78 years old. He worked on many experiments, most notably CDF and CMS. One of his last efforts before he retired was the responsibility for an extraordinarily challenging project to provide the power and control of the new state-of-the-art Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment calorimeter trigger electronics being built for the Large Hadron Collider at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. The task involved the circuitry for and installation of 20 redundant fail-over high-power (7 kW) supplies controlling 10 7’ racks of completely custom electronics that had to be monitored remotely over the Internet. Mr. Ott devised a system of 50 custom trays of fans with very high airflow that were precisely monitored for any malfunction. He also developed and installed a system of temperature monitors distributed over each rack. All of this is remotely monitored as well as having local shut-off protection. Mr. Ott worked on the design, assembly, and production of this system. His work on this was very creative and innovative. There was no turnkey or prepackaged solution possible given the very difficult requirements and complexity of the project. Mr. Ott had to take the initiative and break new ground in developing his solution. The result was outstanding. George traveled to CERN and installed this system in the CMS underground cavern.
George was a happy, magnanimous person, always willing to help with anything. He will be missed.
http://www.gundersonfh.com/obituaries/George-E-Ott?obId=2964968#/obituaryInfo
The Badgerloop POD III design is approved by SPACEX to build and run in the next Hyperloop competition.
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The Physics Department lecture demonstration office (one of the largest in the nation) is looking for a fun, energetic, and loyal student with that “creative edge”: someone with a background in the physical sciences or within physics itself, someone interested to learn more about physics, physics demonstrations, and audio/video equipment. Initially for 10 hours per week, with the possibility for more hours. Freshmen are welcome and encouraged to apply. Work-study are welcome to apply. Work trial period of one semester, with the possibility of continuation throughout the summer and into following year(s).
Job Requirements:
- Some general physics knowledge is a plus.
- Have a desire to learn more about physics and audio-visual equipment
- Must have a working knowledge of hand tools and/or willing to learn
- Be able to listen and follow instructions, but also present alternative solutions to problems.
- Be able to work both independently and as a team.
- Having the ablity to work during most of the summer months, big Plus!
- Having the ablity to work most Fridays from 3pm-4:30pm, big plus!
- Working knowledge of Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other microcontrollers would be awesome.
- Able to lift and move equipment (50lbs)
Job Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in the digitally record our weekly departmental colloquia on Friday afternoons and other lectures, and digital editing.
- Assist with the physics museum, tours, and our annual physics demo shows.
- Assist with researching and archiving of lecture demonstration equipment, including making and repairing equipment, fixing cabinets, data entry, labeling, and much more.
- Assist with audio/video maintenance, including pulling wire, testing cables, making cable, installing equipment, labeling, and troubleshooting.
- Assist with various odd jobs, cleaning whiteboards, hanging things, fixing broken items, woodworking such as sanding, painting and varnishing.
Please submit to Steve Narf (Room 2237 Chamberlin) or Jim Reardon (Room 2320g Chamberlin):
- Cover letter expressing interest in this job
- Resume & Skills
- Reference -