New Facilities and Programs
- Renovation of Room A-104 has provided space for computational
physics, computer-based tutorials, and a much-needed study area for
physics majors during evening and weekend hours.
- The first group of physics majors was admitted to our applied
physics emphasis approved by Faculty Senate one year ago. The new
applied physics emphasis includes coursework in business/economics as
well as an internship, arranged either locally or in London.
- The charter that established the Allen Blocher Memorial Fund has
been revised by Jean Blocher-Brandt to provide financial assistance to
applied physics students who complete their internship experience at an
international site.
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Academy of Letters and Science Awards
- Eric Schultz - graduating senior.
- Matt Newby - continuing student.
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Student Research
- Recent graduate Matt Loth co-authored the paper "Synthesis of
Isolated Silver Nanoparticles and their Aggregates Manipulated by Light"
in Laser Physics Letters with research professor Sasha Popov and former
professor Greg Taft.
- Recent graduate Azaree Lintereur co-authored a paper with professor
Bob Beeken entitled "The
Effect of Anion Substitution and Non-Stoichiometry on the Fast Ion
Conductor Copper Phosphorus Selenide Iodide" appearing in the Journal of Applied
Physics.
- Current student Matt Newby and recent graduate Joel Hrebik co-authored the paper
"Ultrafast Dynamic Reflectivity of Vanadium Pentoxide" in the
Journal of Materials Research. Former professor Greg
Taft and former chancellor Tom George were also co-authors of the
article.
- Chelsey Driessen and Dean Pawlisch recently presented a poster at
the Capitol Rotunda in Madison.
- Aaron Schaufenbuel, Steve Lynam, and Darcy Beyer all presented
the results of their undergraduate research at the Letters and Science
Symposium.
- Amy Wilder produced the planetarium program "Into the Universe" that
debuted at UWSP in April.
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Society of Physics Students
- Owing to popular demand, three model rocket launches for elementary
school students were coordinated this year.
- Members of SPS toured Argonne National Laboratory in May.
- Aaron Schaufenbuel was honored with the Chancellor's Leadership
Award for his work with SPS.
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Astronomy
- Jeremiah Zblewski accompanied Professor Katie Jore to Kitt Peak
National Observatory.
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Laser Physics
- Research Professor Sasha Popov was awarded a $289,000 three-year
grant from the Army Research Office to study negative refractive index
materials that have nanophotonic applications.
- Professor Chris Verzani traveled to Pasadena this past winter break
to conduct research with colleagues at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Physics Education
- Professor Ken Menningen was the lead author of the Instructor's Solution
Manual accompanying James Walker's algebra-based textbook Physics.
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Upcoming Professional Travel Plans
- Professor Hai Nguyen will travel to France this summer to conduct
research with colleagues at the University of Paris.
- Professor Bob Beeken will travel to Shanghai to present research
results at the Sixteenth International Conference on Solid State Ionics.
- Matt Newby will participate in an REU program at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute in New York.
- Jeremiah Zblewski has been accepted to participate in an REU program
at the College of Wooster in Ohio.
- Karen Chamberlin will participate in an REU program at the University
of Notre Dame.
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Special Award
- Department Associate Nancy Stokosa was awarded a twenty five year
service pin at this spring's University Awards Ceremony. Has it
really been that long, Nancy?
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