Nominations are still open for The Walsh Medal, awarded by the AIP to a practising physicist who has made significant contributions to industry in Australia. It’s an important prize and will be presented at the AIP Congress in Adelaide in December 2008.
More details, and links, are provided below. We have extended the nomination deadline to Tuesday 16 September – so please give serious thought to nominating one of your colleagues who has had success in achieving industrial and commercial outcomes from their research.
This month’s events around the country include: a talk on the 2007 Nobel physics prize in Tasmania, more on old scientific instruments in Queensland; commercialising research in Sydney; a postgrad student conference in Western Australia; and VCE synchrotron workshops in Melbourne. The bulletin also lists another 16 physics events for September.
I’d also welcome the help of AIP members in finding financial support for two AIP projects:
- our Honours Year Scholarship program offered to Australian Physics Honours students. Our founding sponsor DSTO has recently withdrawn their support so we’re keen to find a new sponsor of this program that supports two of the countries top physics students;
- the AIP is keen to send a small delegation to the Third International Conference on Women in Physics in Seoul, Korea, October 8-10, 2008.
We are looking for support for two to three delegates.
Our own biennial congress in Adelaide is shaping up as a big one. A last minute rush of abstracts took the total received to over 550. As a result the organisers are planning a seventh parallel stream. More details below.
Finally I’d like to recognise an AIP member who received one of four L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowships this week. Amanda is a theoretical physicist at the University of Melbourne. She is working to create computational tools to predict the behaviour of nanoparticles in the environment. I was pleased to be one of the judges for the Fellowships this year.
If you have any questions or comments on this bulletin, the AIP or physics in Australia, please let me know.
Cathy Foley,
AIP President.
In this bulletin:
1. AIP events across the country
2. Physics activities across the country
3. The Walsh Medal for Service to Industry – nominations extended to Tuesday 16 September
4. Siemens Science Experience
5. Student photo contest: Vic AIP
6. Student and teacher video contest: Vic AIP
7. AIP National Congress
8. Are nanoparticles safe?
9. Physics Conferences
10. Submission deadlines for the bulletin and journal
AIP events across the country
QLD: Tuesday 9 September, 6.00-7.30pm, Qld AIP and School of Physical Sciences, UQ
SERIES: Tools of Science Series
A series of meetings for all those fascinated by old scientific instruments.
TITLE: Hanbury Brown, Twiss and all that
SPEAKER: Andrew White
VENUE: Room 7-222 St. Lucia campus, The University of Queensland
For details contact Prof. Norman Heckenberg on 3365 3369 or heckenberg@physics.uq.edu.au; http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/physics_museum/tools_of_science/tools_of_science.shtml
Upcoming sessions:
Tuesday 7 October: Norman Heckenberg – Galvanometers
Tuesday 4 November: Alan Emmerson – Tools of the Instrument Maker
TAS: Wednesday 10 September, Tas AIP
TITLE: The 2007 Nobel Prize in physics: discovery of giant magnetoresistance
SPEAKER: Dr Michael Smith, University of Queensland
VENUE: Physics Lecture Theatre 1, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay
Michael will recognise the achievement of Albert Fert and Peter Grünberg, who were awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics, by talking about the physics of giant magnetoresistance and the impact of its discovery on current condensed matter research.
More information: http://tas.aip.org.au/meetings/13
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VIC: Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 September, Vic AIP Education Committee
TITLE: Photonics and synchrotron workshops for students
The AIP (Vic Branch) Education Committee is organising workshops for VCE students doing two Unit 4 Detailed Studies: “Photonics” and “Synchrotron and its applications” on Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 September and again on Thursday 11 September.
VENUE: The photonics workshops will be held at Swinburne University, while the synchrotron workshops will be held at Monash University.
Late news is that these sessions are booked out but there is a possibility of attending an inservice for teachers on Monday 22 September at the synchrotron.
More information and bookings: Dan O’Keeffe danok@bigpond.com
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NSW: Wednesday 24 September, 6.30pm NSW AIP and the University of Sydney
TITLE: Commercialising research – from scientist to entrepreneur and back again
SPEAKER: Dr Viv Robinson, ETP Semra Pty Ltd
VENUE: Slade Lecture Theatre, School of Physics, University of Sydney
More information: Fred Osman fred_osman@exemail.com.au
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WA: Wednesday 24 – Friday 26 September, WA AIP
TITLE: Biennial Postgraduate Student Conference at Jarrahdale
This conference provides a great opportunity for students from Honours to PhD to present their research to their peers in a relaxing and supportive environment. Members are invited to participate.
More information: http://wa.aip.org.au/
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Physics activities across the country
NSW: Monday 1 September, 3.15pm, School of Physics Colloquium, University of Sydney
TITLE: Novel optical technologies for ion-trap quantum computing
SPEAKER: Dr David Kielpinski, Director, Australian Attosecond Science Facility, Griffith University
VENUE: Slade lecture theatre, School of Physics, University of Sydney
David will discuss the use of trapped ions for quantum computing, remote sensing and plasma diagnostics.
More information: Andrew Hopkins (02) 9351 7688 or colloquium_chair@physics.usyd.edu.au
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/local/coll/index.shtml
Upcoming colloquia:
Monday 8 September: Dr Robert Robinson, Head of The Bragg Institute at ANSTO – Title to be advised.
Monday 15 September: Dr Chiaki Kobayashi, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, ANU – Chemodynamical simulation of the universe and the galaxy.
Monday 22 September: A. Prof. John Close, The Australian Centre for Quantum Atom Optics, ANU – Bose Einstein condensates, the atom laser and precision measurement.
Monday 29 September: Dr Peter Papathanasiou, Australian Phenomics Facility, John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU – Stem cells: don’t believe the hype! Believe the science.
More information: Andrew Hopkins 02 9351 7688 or colloquium_chair@physics.usyd.edu.au
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/local/coll/index.shtml
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NSW: Wednesday 3 September, 3.30-4.30pm, Australia Telescope National Facility
SPEAKER: Ue-Li Pen, Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, Toronto
TITLE: To be advised
VENUE: ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre
More information: Tobias Westmeier (02) 9372 4622 tobias.westmeier@csiro.au or http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/colloquia/
Upcoming colloquia:
Wednesday 10 September: Peter Michelson, GLAST/Stanford University – The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope: first light.
Wednesday 24 September: Oleg Titov, Geoscience Australia, Canberra – Systematic proper motion of distant radio sources from geodetic VLBI data.
More information: Tobias Westmeier (02) 9372 4622 tobias.westmeier@csiro.au or http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/colloquia/
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VIC: Monday 15 September, 6.30-7.30, University of Melbourne
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Lecture
TITLE: Building nanostructured materials and biomedicine
SPEAKER: Prof. Frank Caruso, Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
VENUE: Elisabeth Murdoch Theatre (Bldg 134), Parkville, University of Melbourne
Frank will discuss recent advances in the design and preparation of nanoengineered particulate systems for the encapsulation of drugs and vaccines, cell targeting and intelligent drug/vaccine release. He will explore the application of these devices for the ultimate treatment of cancer, HIV and the diagnosis of heart disease.
More information: http://www.marcom.unimelb.edu.au/events/vclectures/#5 or phone 03 8344 6715
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NSW: Tuesday 16 September, School of Physics, UNSW
SPEAKER: Dr David Reilly, Harvard University, U.S.A. & University of Sydney
TITLE: To be advised
More information: http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/phys_about/COLLOQUIA/school_colloquia.html
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VIC: Wednesday 17 September, 6.30pm, Swinburne University
SPEAKER: Prof. Bob Carswell, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
TITLE: Gravity and light – gravitational lenses and black holes
VENUE: Room AR104, Swinburne University, Hawthorn (more info at http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/contact/ )
Bob explores how light behaves near massive objects, and shows that for gravitational lenses, gravitational redshifts and black holes, the main concepts can be understood in general terms from Einstein’s oft-quoted equation, E=mc2.
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QLD: Friday 19 September, 4.00pm, University of Queensland
TITLE: The density matrix renormalization group
SPEAKER: Dr Ian McCulloch, UQ
VENUE: Parnell Building Room 222, University of Queensland
More information: coll_sched@physics.uq.edu.au or http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/colloquium/?cat=3
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VIC: Monday 22 September, 6.30-7.30, University of Melbourne
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Lecture
TITLE: Seeing the light with polymers
SPEAKER: Prof. Andrew Holmes, Bio21 Institute
VENUE: Elisabeth Murdoch Theatre (Bldg 134), Parkville, University of Melbourne
Certain kinds of plastics (polymers) can behave as semiconductors, rather than insulators, and may be used to obtain light emission of visible primary colours for use in ultra-thin flat panel displays for TV and laptop screens. Andrew will describe progress in this research, efforts to commercialise it and the role plastic solar cells may play as an alternative source of renewable energy.
More information: http://www.marcom.unimelb.edu.au/events/vclectures/#6 or phone 03 8344 4392
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VIC: Thursday 25 – Friday 26 September, Swinburne University
TITLE: Synergies between ASKAP and Large Optical/IR Surveys
Discussion meeting at Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University.
RSVP essential. Please email Illana Feain Ilana.Feain@csiro.au
More information: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/research/askap.html
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WA: Sunday 28 September, 7.00-9.30pm, Gingin Observatory
TITLE: Aboriginal astronomy with Noel Nannup
Ever wanted to know more about the Aboriginal stories of the night sky? There is a wonderful and extensive history when we look up and this special event, hosted by Noel Nannup, will open your mind to another night sky. Noel has dedicated his career to educating young Western Australians about the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal people and with him we will explore many stories that shape diverse Aboriginal cultures.
Other Gingin Observatory activities include: Fathers’ day stargazing, Saturday 6 September; Fathers’ day BYO telescope class, Sunday 7 September; and family space adventures over the September/October school holidays.
More information: 08 9575 7740, stars@ginginobservatory.com or email stars@ginginobservatory.com
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NSW: Monday 29 September – Friday 3 October, Australia Telescope National Facility
TITLE: 8th ATNF synthesis imaging school
VENUE: Australia Telescope Compact Array, Narrabri, NSW
There will be lectures by radio astronomers and engineers as well as practical sessions involving ATCA observation and data reduction. The intended audience is postgraduate students and other interested researchers. No prior experience with radio astronomy is required. Participants are encouraged to present a poster describing their research.
Note: Registration closes Friday 29 August: http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/workshops/synthesis2008/#reg
More information: http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/workshops/synthesis2008/
The Walsh Medal for Service to Industry – nominations extended to Tuesday 16 September
The Walsh Medal recognises significant contributions by a practising physicist to industry in Australia. The award will be given by the AIP 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. Any AIP member may nominate any qualified person.
For more information, see http://www.aip.org.au/content/walsh or email the AIP Special Projects Officer, Olivia Samardzic on aip_member_one@aip.org.au.
Nominations have been extended to Tuesday 16 September, 2008.
The medal will be presented at the AIP Congress in Adelaide in December 2008, at which the medallist will present a lecture on the subject of the award.
Applications and nominations should be sent by email attachment to aip_member_one@aip.org.au or to the Special Projects Officer at Olivia Samardzic, 205 Labs, EWRD, DSTO, P.O. Box 1500, Edinburgh, SA 5111.
Siemens Science Experience
Year 9 students (about to enter Year 10 in 2009) with an interest in science are welcome to attend the Siemens Science Experience. Participants will engage in a wide range of science activities with scientists at universities across Australia. The program, which runs in December 2008 and January 2009, is supported by Rotary clubs, the Young Scientists of Australia and the Australian Science Teachers Association.
For more information and to apply online, go to http://www.scienceexperience.com.au/ Applications for individual programs close during September 2008.
Student photo contest: Vic AIP
The Vic AIP is looking for Victorian school student photos. There’s a prize pool of $1,000.
The photos must show a physics concept, which may be set up by the student or an everyday situation.
The contest rules are given on the Victorian AIP website http://www.vicphysics.org/events/photo.html where you can also see the excellent photos that were entered into the 2007 contest.
Closing date is the end of term 3, 2008.
Student and teacher video contest: Vic AIP
The Vic AIP is looking for Victorian school student and teacher video clips. There’s a prize pool of $2,000.
Victorian teachers and students may compete in separate categories in the Victorian AIP physics video clip contest.
The video clip should demonstrate physics in action, and will be evaluated on their suitability for instructional use.
See the website for contest rules http://www.vicphysics.org/events/video.html
Closing date is the end of term 3, 2008.
AIP National Congress
The Congress is the AIP’s major meeting. The congress program is filling out with over 550 abstracts and 7 parallel streams.
Plenary speakers include:
Alain Aspect, CNRS; Andy Buffler, University of Cape Town; Jocelyn Bell Burnell, University of Oxford; Steven Carlip, University of California, Davis; John Ellis, CERN; Marvin A. Geller, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Michael Geyer Abengoa Solar S.A.; Oliver Jäkel, German Cancer Research Centre; John B Pendry, Imperial College London; Michelle Simmons, University of New South Wales; Howard Wilson, University of York;
Details of the plenary and keynote speakers are available online at www.aipc2008.com.
Earlybird registration rates range from $150 for undergraduate students to $695 for non-members.
Earlybird registration closes on 30 September.
Are nanoparticles safe?
Earlier this week theoretical physicist and AIP member Amanda Barnard received one of this year’s L’Oréal For Women in Science Fellowships.
After two decades of research the first wave of nanotechnology consumer products are entering the marketplace in applications as diverse as catalysts, surface treatments for glass, cosmetics and drug delivery. But the properties that make them attractive to industry may also have unforeseen consequences. That worries Amanda Barnard, a physicist at The University of Melbourne.
“Many materials that are normally inactive-gold and silver, for example-become biologically active when the particles are just a few nanometres in size. So, if we are creating these new particles we need to understand how they will behave in the environment.”
Amanda believes she can create a theoretical framework that will allow the risk of nanoparticles to be determined in the computer-before the particle has even been made. She will use her L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowship to develop new computational tools to predict the behaviour of nanoparticles in the environment.
Physics Conferences
Brighter Deeper Greener – Geophysics in a Changing Environment
Adelaide, South Australia
22/02/2009 – 26/02/2009
http://www.sapro.com.au/aseg/home.htm
18th National AIP Physics Congress
Adelaide, South Australia
30/11/2008 – 05/12/2008
28th International Congress on High-Speed Imaging and Photonics
Canberra, ACT
9/11/2008 – 14/11/2008
http://ichsip28.unsw.adfa.edu.au/
33rd Annual Australasian Radiation Protection Society Conference 2008
Canberra, ACT
21/09/2008 – 24/09/2008
http://www.arps.org.au/NextConference.php
The Third International Conference on Women in Physics
Seoul, Korea,
8/10/2008 – 10/10/2008
Submission deadlines for the bulletin and journal
We welcome contributions about activities, conferences and announcements for next month’s bulletin. Our next submission deadline is Thursday 25 September. Please send your submissions to Margie Beilharz from Science in Public on margie@scienceinpublic.com.au or (03) 9398 1416.
And the AIP’s journal, Australian Physics, welcomes your articles. The next deadline is Monday 20 October for the November/December edition. Email John Daicopoulos on ap-editor@renegadescience.tv
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For more information on physics events visit http://www.aip.org.au and click on ‘physics events’ or on your state branch.