Physics in May 2010: celebrating the laser, nuclear energy without radioactive radiation and sniffing the air in Tasmania

AIP President’s blog, Australian Institute of Physics

Welcome to my monthly posting to people around the country with an interest in physics. It contains news and events for May 2010 and beyond.

This month the AIP is celebrating the laser in Canberra; exploring nuclear energy without radioactive radiation in Sydney; discovering the rocky birth of physics at UQ; hunting high energy particles with the Moon in Adelaide; showing off new talent in Melbourne and sniffing the air in Tasmania.

We’re calling for papers for the AIP Congress, which will be in Melbourne in December.

And we’re recognising achievement in physics via a range of AIP awards and medals. Nominations for the following awards are now open:

  • AIP Education Medal, which recognises excellence in physics education in Australia (closing 1 July 2010)
  • Bragg Gold Medal for the best PhD thesis by a student from an Australian University (closing 1 July 2010)
  • Walter Boas medal to promote excellence in physics research carried out in Australia in the last five years (closing 1 July 2010)
  • AIP Award for Outstanding Service to Physics in Australia, which recognises the contribution made to physics by people outside research (closing 1 July 2010)
  • Alan Walsh Medal for Service to Industry, for physics research or development that has generated patents, processes or inventions that have led to manufacture or have influenced a major industrial process (closing 1 July 2010).
  • Harrie Massey Medal for contributions made by an Australian physicist working anywhere in the world, or to a non-Australian for work they have carried out in Australia (closing 1 July 2010).

Find more information on all of these awards below, and at the AIP website http://www.aip.org.au/content/medals.

My congratulations to Harry Messel whose 88th birthday will be celebrated at a special University of Sydney event.

If you want to contact me regarding AIP or other physics matters please email aip_president@aip.org.au.

If you have trouble reading the bulletin in this format, it’s also online at www.aip.org.au. You can also read it and rss it here and now on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Please note that replies to this email go to Niall Byrne, Science in Public, whose team compiles and manages the bulletin on my behalf and handles corrections, updates and bounces. If you have news or other information for the bulletin please email Niall by the 23rd of each month.

Kind regards,

Brian James,

AIP President

In this bulletin:

1. AIP events across the country

2. Other activities: for the general public, students and teachers

3. AIP 2010 Congress – call for papers now open

4. Laser multi-media show travelling the country

5. Australian Academy of Science Awards and new Fellows

6.Science Prizes

7. Have your say on the Millennium Technology Prize 2010

8. Seminars

9. Conferences

10. Submission deadlines for the bulletin and journal

AIP events across the country

Australian Capital Territory

19 May 2010, 6:00 PM, refreshments available from 5:30 PM

TITLE: 50 years of lasing and how it all happened; and annual awards

SPEAKER: Peter Hannaford, Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy Swinburne University of Technology

VENUE: TBA

As part of this year’s LaserFest, celebrating 50 years of the laser, the ACT branch of the AIP will be hosting several talks on lasers and their uses.

The ACT Branch of the AIP will present its annual awards for Outstanding Performance in Level II Physics 2009 at the May branch meeting.  This year’s winners are Byron Vickers of the Australian National University and Officer Cadet Joshua Ahearn of the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. The ACT Branch Committee warmly congratulates both Byron and Joshua and wishes them more success in the future.

Upcoming branch meetings:

Date Speaker/s Title
27 Aug Ben Eggleton, University of Sydney TBA

For more info click here.

New South Wales

24 May 2010, 6:00 PM

AIP NSW Branch meetings (The Australian Institute of Physics (NSW Branch) & The University of Sydney)

TITLE: Nuclear Energy without Radioactive Radiation

SPEAKER: Heinrich Hora, Department of Theoretical Physics, UNSW

VENUE: Slade Lecture Theatre, School of Physics, University of Sydney

• 6:00-6.30 pm refreshments, Slade Lecture Theatre.

• 6.35-7.30 pm lecture by Professor Heinrich Hora.

• 8.00 pm dinner with the Speaker at Buon Gusto (Italian), 368 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale.

E-mail Dr Fred Osman (fred_osman@exemail.com.au) if you will be able to join us for dinner.

For more info click here.

Contact: Fred Osman on fred_osman@exemail.com.au

Upcoming branch meetings:

Date Speaker/s Title
29 Jun Susanna Guatelli, University of Wollongong Angels and demons: The real CERN
27 Jul Chris Garvey, ANSTO Beyond the gingerbread house – engineering with sugar
03 Aug Elizabeth Winstanley, University of Sheffield, UK Mini black holes at the Large Hadron Collider
17 Aug Brian James, University of Sydney Declassification of fusion research in 1958: the politics, the physics and the Australian
21 Sep 5:30pm: Felix Lawrence, University of Sydney Photonic crystals: light’s playground
7pm: David Coutts, Macquarie University Exploiting the colour variable in scientific imaging”
26 Oct Richard Newbury, University of New South Wales Every thing you wanted to know about quantum transport but were afraid to ask
23 Nov Annual General Meeting, Postgraduate Day & Annual Dinner

Queensland

11 May 2010, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Tools of Science (The Physics Museum, at The University of Queensland)

TITLE: To be or not to be: UQ physics research and teaching was very nearly destined not to be, but with the turning of the tide appeared Thomas Parnell

SPEAKER: John Mainstone, University of Queensland

VENUE: Rm 222  Parnell Building, University of Queensland (St Lucia campus)

In honour of the UQ Centenary, Prof John Mainstone will relate some of the early history of Queensland physics.

The lecture, illustrated where possible with items from the Physics Museum collection, will be followed by a discussion period where participants will be encouraged to show items they have brought along. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of the School of Mathematics and Physics. The Physics Museum will be open from 5.30pm.

You can subscribe to receive email reminders about Tools of Science. Simply send an email message to majordomo@physics.uq.edu.au containing  subscribe tools-of-science in the body of the email.

Tools of Science lectures are sponsored by the School of Mathematics and Physics and the Queensland Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics

For more info click here.

Contact: Norman Heckenberg on heckenberg@physics.uq.edu.au or (07) 3365 3369

21 May 2010, 3:00 PM

TITLE: Branch committee meeting

VENUE: 6-407 @ University of Queensland

For more info click here.

South Australia

06 May 2010, 8:00 PM

Free public lecture (AIP (SA branch))

TITLE: Looking for the highest energy particles in nature using the Moon and radio-telescopes

SPEAKER: Clancy James, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

VENUE: Napier 102, Napier building at the University of Adelaide

Including presentation of the Gold Bragg medal, awarded for the best Australian PhD thesis in Physics in 2008-9, to Clancy James.

For more info click here.

Victoria

20 May 2010, 6:30 PM [Note: earlier incorrectly shown as 30 May]

TITLE: Showcasing early career researcher talent

VENUE: Old Geology Theatre 2 (South Theatre, entrance off Monash Rd), The University of Melbourne

There will be two speakers:

Madhu Bhaskaran, RMIT University

Title: High performance piezoelectric thin films on silicon for energy harvesting.

James Bolton, The University of Melbourne

Title: The first two billion years: the structural, chemical and thermal evolution of the intergalactic medium

Contact: Scott Wade on swade@swin.edu.au or (03) 9214 4339

Tasmania

13 May 2010, 8:00 PM

TITLE: Something in the air… BLANkET-the Base-Line Air Network of EPA Tasmania

SPEAKER: John Innis, Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority

VENUE: Physics Lecture Theatre 1, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay

For more info click here.

Contact: Elizabeth Chelkowska on Elizabeth.Chelkowska@environment.tas.gov.au.

Other activities: for the general public, students and teachers

New South Wales

14 May – 17 May 2010

TITLE: Astronomy from the ground up!

VENUE: Parkes Observatory NSW

RSVP required

Astronomy from the Ground Up! is an annual three-day workshop held at the Parkes Observatory, in the shadow of “The Dish”. The 2010 workshop runs from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May. It targets the requirements of junior science syllabi from around Australia.

UPDATE: 2010 workshop is full. Contact Robert to be notified of future events.

For more info click here.

Contact: Robert Hollow on Robert.Hollow@csiro.au or 02 9372 4247

20 May 2010, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

TITLE: Honouring excellence: a tribute to Emeritus Professor Harry Messel AC CBE

VENUE: The Great Hall, Main Quadrangle, Camperdown Campus, The University of Sydney

RSVP required

Special guest MC: Robyn Williams AM. Special guest speakers include: HE Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW & University of Sydney Chancellor; The Hon. Neville Wran AC; Lord Robert May of Oxford and Dr Barry Jones.

The Science Foundation for Physics honours founder, Emeritus Professor Harry Messel AC CBE, as he celebrates his 88th birthday in 2010. His contribution to science and technology within Australia has been significant. His passion and enthusiasm for physics knows no bounds. His vision for a science literate community and the encouragement of young people to pursue a career in science is inspired.

As Head of the School of Physics at The University of Sydney, Messel built SILLIAC: the first Australian-built automatic computer, raised funds for physics research and teaching, founded the Science Foundation for Physics and understood the importance of science education and communication: encouraging Year 11 and 12 students to pursue careers in science through the International Science School.

Alumni and friends are invited to show their appreciation of Professor Harry Messel’s visionary contribution to science and technology within Australia at a gala reception to be held on Thursday 20 May in The Great Hall.

Contact: Alison Muir on alison.muir@sydney.edu.au or (02) 9036 5194

Victoria

CAS AstroTours (Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University)

TITLE: AstroTour

VENUE: Virtual Reality Theatre, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University (Hawthorn campus). Ground floor, room AR104.

RSVP required

CAS runs public AstroTours during the Easter, winter, spring and summer school holidays. Sessions will feature the 3D movies “Bigger Than Big” and “Extreme Places”, made by the highly talented Swinburne Astronomy Productions team.

Public AstroTours are suitable for adults and children over seven years of age.

Dates and times: 30 June 2-2:50 PM; 7 July 2–2:50 PM; 8 July 7-7:50 PM

For more info click here.

Contact: Elizabeth Thackray on ethackray@swin.edu.au or (03) 9214 5569

Talks for VCE physics students (Melbourne University)

13 May 2010, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

TITLE: Energy from the nucleus

SPEAKER: Max Thompson, University of Melbourne

VENUE: Laby Theatre, School of Physics University of Melbourne, Vic

The topics are relevant to the VCE Study Design, and practising physicists have agreed to deliver them. The lectures, of about 1 hour duration, will be held on Thursdays at 6 pm in the Laby Theatre of the School of Physics. Some light refreshments will be available.

This session relates to VCE Unit 1, study 3.3.

Upcoming talks:

Date Title Unit
27 May Gary Egan, Florey Neurosciences Institute: Physics and medical diagnosis VCE Unit 1, study 3.6

For more info click here.

CAS public lectures (Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University)

21 May 2010, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

TITLE: Next generation telescopes

SPEAKER: Warrick Couch, Swinburne University

VENUE: Swinburne University Hawthorn campus (room EN313)

RSVP required

The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing holds regular free public lectures on the Hawthorn campus (usually in room EN313) at 6.30pm.

Upcoming public lectures:

Date Speaker Title
18 Jun Stuart Wyithe, Melbourne University The dark ages of the universe (room EN515)
16 Jul Sarah Maddison, Swinburne Planet formation: what do observations and theory tell us? (room BA201)
20 Aug Christopher Fluke, Swinburne From games to galaxies (room BA201)
17 Sep Richard Ellis, Caltech Gravitational lensing: Einstein’s unfinished symphony
15 Oct Yuri Levin, Leiden Observatory Black holes in astronomy
5 Nov Robert Crain, Swinburne TBA
19 Nov Charles Lineweaver, ANU The search for extra-terrestrials

For more info click here.

Contact: Elizabeth Thackray on ethackray@swin.edu.au or (03) 9214 5569

Western Australia

Gingin Observatory, Gingin

Gingin Observatory runs a variety of public events, many suitable for families, as well as regular stargazing tours. More info is available at the Observatory website or by contacting Carol Redford or Donna Vanzetti on (08) 9575 7740 or stars@ginginobservatory.com. Contact Carol or Donna to book into events.

The Gravity Discovery Centre is open every day of the school holidays, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Special events include the following:

Date Time Event
9 May 7:30 – 9:30 PM Mothers are stars
23 May 5:30 – 8:00 PM BYO telescope class
6 Jun 7:30 – 9:30 PM Dark night stargazing and Virgo
26 Jun 7:00 – 9:30 PM Lunar eclipse special event

30 Apr 2010, 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

TITLE: Excursion expo for teachers

VENUE: Scitech, Perth

RSVP required

The Excursion Expo for Teachers brings Perth’s best excursion providers together in one convenient location to talk exclusively about what they have on offer in 2010, including excursions, incursions, professional development and much more. This event is recognised as professional learning with the Western Australian College of Teaching. It’s on Friday, 30 April, 2010 at Scitech from 2pm-6.30pm. Cash bar and light refreshments available. Great prizes will be on offer.

For more info click here.

Contact: Scitech on bookings@scitech.org.au or (08) 9215 0740

05 May 2010

TITLE: 2010 Astronomy WA Challenge Cup

VENUE: Scitech and University of Western Australia

RSVP required

Calling teams of secondary school students! Pit your wits, skill and knowledge against each other for the 2010 Astronomy WA Challenge Cup. Great prizes and great fun! Be quick as places are limited. The Astronomy WA Challenge Cup, to be held Wednesday, 5 May 2010, is an annual secondary school event held at Scitech, where groups of three students participate in Space Science activities throughout the day. Teachers will receive a special resource pack.

With weather permitting, the day will also include a sausage sizzle and night sky stargazing at the University of Western Australia with the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. Register your interest at www.astronomywa.net.au

For more info click here.

AIP 2010 Congress – call for papers now open

The 19th Australian Institute of Physics Congress (5 – 9 December 2010 in Melbourne) will be the biggest and most diverse scientific meeting of the Australian physics calendar.

In 2010 the Congress will incorporate another major conference – the 35th Australian Conference on Optical Fibre Technology (ACOFT) – increasing the representation at the Congress of delegates from this important technology sector.

The call for papers is now open and we invite your submissions. Please visit the Congress website for more information. The program incorporates a variety of streams including: Astronomy and Astrophysics; Biomedical Physics; Condensed Matter, Materials and Surface Physics; Environmental Physics; Meteorology, Climate Change and Oceanography; Solar, Terrestrial and Space Physics.

Opportunities are also available for companies and organisations interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at AIP/ACOFT 2010.

For more info click here.

Laser multi-media show travelling the country

The laser is 50 years old this year, and the University of Newcastle is keen to bring you a contemporary multimedia science show on the fascinating history and science of one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. The show, Science NON fiction: The history and science of lasers, is suitable for primary and junior high school audiences and the public.

It is provided by SMART (Science, Maths And Real Technology), the award-winning science communication program from the University of Newcastle. The SMART team have been awarded grants from the American Physical Society, as part of their Laserfest program, and National Science Week to subsidise taking the show around NSW (and beyond).

They are keen to organise tours, partnering with Universities, clubs (such as Rotary and Lions) and professional groups to help subsidise or organise shows. Once they are in an area they may be able to do public and family shows free of charge.

For bookings and enquiries telephone (02) 4921 7187 or email smart@newcastle.edu.au.

For more information about the show, click here.

Australian Academy of Science Awards and new Fellows

Physicists Andrew White and Amanda Barnard, both members of the AIP, are among leading Australian researchers to be honoured by the Australian Academy of Science over two days next week.

Andrew White, University of Queensland, receives the Pawsey Medal for research in physics and Amanda Barnard, CSIRO Materials Science in Engineering, receives the Frederick White Prize for research in the physical, terrestrial and planetary sciences.

In March, the Academy elected new members including:

  • Vladimir Bazhanov, Australian National University and AIP member, who was distinguished for his work on theoretical physics in the field of solvable models in statistical mechanics and field theory
  • John O’Sullivan, CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, for his work in digital signals engineering with applications in radioastronomy and wireless local area networks
  • Steven Prawer, University of Melbourne and AIP member, for his work on the physics of diamond and related materials
  • Elaine Sadler, University of Sydney, for her work in high energy astrophysics and galaxy evolution
  • Raymond Volkas, University of Melbourne and AIP member, for his work in theoretical particle physics, early universe cosmology and high energy astrophysics.

Election to the Academy recognises a career that has significantly advanced, and continues to advance, the world’s scientific knowledge.

Science Prizes

Please consider if you know people who would be appropriate candidates for the following science prizes.

AIP medals, prizes and awards

The AIP awards prizes for outstanding work in physics in a number of different fields. The call for nominations for the following awards is now open:

2011 Bragg Gold Medal for excellence in physics

The Bragg Gold Medal is awarded annually to the student who is judged to have completed the most outstanding PhD thesis under the auspices of an Australian university.

The thesis must have been approved between 1 June 2009 and 1 July 2010. Each university may submit one candidate. Nominations from the universities must reach the Secretary of the local state AIP branch by 1 July 2010. This award will be announced in Jan 2011.

For further information see the AIP website: Bragg Gold Medal or contact Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or phone 0410 575 855.

2010 Walter Boas Medal

The Walter Boas Medal was established to promote excellence in research in physics and to perpetuate the name of Walter Boas (University of Melbourne 1938-47, CSIRO 1947-69). The award is for physics research carried out in the five years prior to the date of the award, as demonstrated by both published papers and unpublished papers prepared for publication.

Nominations should reach Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or by mail at 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111 by 1 July 2010.

For further information see the AIP website: Walter Boas Medal or contact Olivia Samardzic as above or phone 0410 575 855.

2010 Award for Outstanding Service to Physics in Australia

The AIP Award for Outstanding Service to Physics recognises an exceptional contribution on the part of an individual who gives great amounts of time and effort to the furtherance of physics as a discipline.

Nominations should reach Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or by mail at 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111 by 1 July 2010.

For further information see the AIP website: Outstanding Service or contact Olivia Samardzic as above or phone 0410 575 855.

2010 Alan Walsh Medal for Service to Industry for Physics research in Australia

The Alan Walsh Medal is awarded biennially and recognises significant contributions by a practicing physicist to industry in Australia. The Award will be given for physics research and/or development that has led to patents, processes or inventions which, in the opinion of the judging panel, have led to significant industrial and/or commercial outcomes, such as devices that are being manufactured or have influenced a major industrial process.

Nominations should reach Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or by mail at 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111 by 1 July 2010.

For further information see the AIP website: Alan Walsh Medal or contact Olivia Samardzic as above or phone 0410 575 855.

2010 AIP Education Medal

This prize is to recognize an outstanding contribution to physics education in Australia. The prize is awarded biennially to any member of the AIP who is judged to have made a significant contribution to physics education in Australia. In determining the recipient of the award, the quality of the work, the significance to physics education, and the creativity displayed will be taken into account.

Nominations should reach Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or by mail at 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111 by 1 July 2010.

For further information see the AIP website: AIP Education Medal or contact Olivia Samardzic as above or phone 0410 575 855.

2010 Harrie Massey Medal

This prize is awarded every two years for contributions made by an Australian physicist working anywhere in the world, or to a non-Australian for work they have carried out in Australia.

Nominations should reach Olivia Samardzic, Special Project Officer, at olivia.samardzic@dsto.defence.gov.au or by mail at 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111 by 1 July 2010.

For further information see the AIP website: Harrie Massey Medal or contact Olivia Samardzic as above or phone 0410 575 855.

Other prizes

Eureka Prizes (Australian Museum)

The annual Australian Museum Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of scientific research & innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism & communication

There are 19 awards across these categories. You can enter yourself or nominate someone else.

Entries close on Friday 7 May and the winners will be announced on Tuesday 17 August.

For more info click here.

Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science (Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research)

John O’Sullivan freed the computer from its chains using his skills as an astronomer and engineer. He received the $300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2009.

The two $50,000 early career prizes went to Michael Cowley for his work breaking the link between obesity and diabetes; and to Amanda Barnard for her virtual investigations of the properties of nanoparticles.

Nominations close on 21 May 2010.

For more info click here.

Have your say on the Millennium Technology Prize 2010

Every second year the Technology Academy Finland award the Millennium Technology Prize – to inspire and recognise innovations that can provide answers to the challenges of our time, promoting both the quality of human life and sustainable development.

The previous winners are Tim Berners-Lee, in 2004 for the World Wide Web, Shuji Nakamura, in 2006 for the energy-efficient new light source blue LED, and Robert Langer, in 2008 for advanced drug delivery systems, all of which have significant potential for beneficial influence on the lives of billions of people.

This year’s laureates, one of which will be awarded the prize, are: Sir Richard Friend, Cambridge University, developer of plastic electronics; Stephen Furber, University of Manchester, the principle designer of the ARM microprocessor and its implementation on silicon chips; and, Michael Grätzel, for his dye-sensitized solar cells.

Go here to cast your vote for the most signification innovation.

While you are voting, you can also choose the greatest life-enhancing innovation of all time here.

Seminars

New South Wales

Australian Telescope National Facility

The Australian Telescope National Facility holds regular colloquia on Wednesdays at 3.30pm (coffee at 3.15pm) in the ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre. More info here or contact Bjorn Emonts on Bjorn.Emonts@csiro.au or (02) 9372 4368.

Date Speaker Title
4 May Rebecca McFadden, University of Melbourne UHE neutrino detection using the lunar Cherenkov technique
16 Jun Volker Heesen Magnetic fields in galaxies

School of Physics, University of Sydney

The School of Physics holds regular colloquia on Mondays at 3.15pm (refreshments from 3pm) in the Slade Lecture Theatre, School of Physics A28, University of Sydney. More info here or contact Bruce Yabsley (02) 9351 5970 or colloquium_chair@physics.usyd.edu.au.

Date Speaker Title
03 May Stephen Bartlet, University of Sydney Quantum foundations research @ Sydney
10 May Michael J. Biercuk, University of Sydney Science at the yocto-scale: force detection at the limits of the SI system
24 May Sarah Maddison, Swinburne University TBA
31 May Chris Chaston, UC Berkeley TBA
07 Jun Nigel Lovell, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW TBA
21 Jun Arne Geschke, Integrated Sustainability Analysis, University of Sydney TBA : talk shared with the 18th International Input-Output Conference

School of Physics, University of NSW

The School of Physics holds regular colloquia on Tuesdays at 3-4pm in the School of Physics Common Room, Room 64, Old Main Building, University of NSW. More info here or contact Julian Berengut on jcb@phys.unsw.edu.au or (02) 9385 7637.

Date Speaker Title
06 May James Bolton, University of Melbourne Exploring the epoch of cosmological reionisation with quasar absorption lines
11 May Valeri Kotov, Department of Physics, University of Vermont, USA Exploring the new physics of graphene

Queensland

Physics Department, University of Queensland

The Physics Department holds regular colloquia on Fridays at 4pm (refreshments from 3.30pm) in the Parnell Building Room 222, University of Queensland. More info here or contact Chao Feng on uqcfeng1@uq.edu.au or (07) 3346 7719

Date Speaker Title
30 Apr Neville Fletcher, Australian National University Ice – the most beautiful substance in the universe

Victoria

Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University

The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing holds regular colloquia, usually on Thursdays at 11.30am, in the Swinburne Virtual Reality Theatre (AR Building, Room 104). More info here or Jonathon Kocz on colloquium@astro.swin.edu.au.

Date Speaker Title
29 April Rosemary Mardling, Monash University The determination of planetary structure in tidally relaxed systems
06 May Emily McNeil, Australian National University TBA
11 May Paola Meluzzi, INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy ACCESS: A Complete CEnsus of Star-formation and nuclear activity in the Shapley Supercluster
13 May Ryan Cooke, Cambridge TBA
22 Jul Kim-Vy Tran, ITP, University of Zurich TBA

Conferences

3rd Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference (CHAOS2010)

Chania, Crete, Greece

01 Jun – 05 Jun 2010

More info here.

Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting

Taipei, Taiwan

22 Jun – 26 Jun 2010

More info here.

Royal Australian Chemical Institute’s National Convention (RACI 2010) and the 12th International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry (IUPAC 2010)

Melbourne, Victoria

04 Jul – 08 Jul 2010

More info here.

Astronomical Society of Australia Annual Science Meeting

Hobart, Tasmania

05 Jul – 09 Jul 2010

Early bird registration until 2 May, final registration 1 June

More info here.

9th International Conference on Excitonic and Photonic Processes in Condensed and Nano Materials (EXCON’10)

Brisbane, Queensland

11 Jul – 17 Jul 2010

More info here.

Statphys 24

Cairns, Queensland

19 Jul – 24 Jul 2010

More info here.

22nd International Conference on Atomic Physics (ICAP2010)

Cairns, Queensland

25 Jul – 31 Jul 2010

More info here.

NEW 52nd International Field Emission Symposium (IFES2010)

Crowne Plaza, Coogee Beach, Sydney, NSW

05 Aug – 09 Aug 2010

Early bird registration by 10 May 2010

More info here.

20th International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2010)

Sydney, Australia

23 Aug – 28 Aug 2010

Early registration before 28 May 2010

More info here.

NEW 11th South Pacific Environmental Radioactvity Conference (SERA 2010)

Gold Coast, Qld

31 Aug – 04 Sep 2010

More info here.

Contact: Riaz Akber on r.akber@saferadiation.com

NEW 2nd UNTREF International Congress on Acoustics 2010

Buenos Aires, Argentina

08 Sep – 11 Sep 2010

More info here.

2010 AIP Congress

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Vic

05 Dec – 10 Dec 2010

Call for papers now open

More info here.

XXV International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly: Earth on the Edge

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Vic

06 Jun – 08 Jul 2011

Register your expression of interest on the website to receive updates

More info here.

Submission deadlines for the bulletin and journal

Our next bulletin, to be sent out at the end of May, will cover events in May 2010. We welcome contributions about activities, conferences and announcements. Our next submission deadline is Monday 24 May. Please send your submissions to Niall or Margie Beilharz from Science in Public on margie@scienceinpublic.com.au or call (03) 9398 1416.

And the AIP’s journal, Australian Physics, welcomes your articles. The deadlines for the next issues are 30 April and 11 May 11. Email your articles and ideas to the editor, Paulo De Souza on Paulo.Desouza@csiro.au.

_________________________

For more information on physics events click here and visit ‘physics events’ or on your state branch.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive these updates, please feel free to forward this to them.

Kind regards,

Brian

——————————————————————-

Assoc. Prof. Brian James

President of the Australian Institute of Physics

Phone: +61 (2) 9351-2471

Email: aip_president@aip.org.au