Radiations

October 6-12, 2002

Weekly Calendar

October 9, Physics Table, Wednesday, Noon-1 p.m., LDC 113, Join the Department staff for lunch and play "Tom's Trivia". Supply the correct answer and win the prize. Questions might involve physics, historical events, or science fiction movies. Tom gets to decide the questions, and they will likely relate to his interests. We can meet on 3rd Olin at 11:50 for the short walk to the dinning hall or you can join us there.

October 10, Science Night at Carleton College Lecture Series, Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Olin 141, "The Science and Ethics Associated With Genetic Cloning and Stem Cell Research", Stephan Zweifel, Associated Professor of Biology

Meet Tom Baraniak: Tom Baraniak is the new Electronics and Lab Manager replacing Doug Foxgrover. Tom's background includes the University of Minnesota's Chemical Engineering and Materials Science department, the University of Wisconsin's Synchrotron Radiation Center, and the UW's Space Science and Engineering Center. He also attended the UW's Electrical Engineering program. Tom is a contributing editor to Circuit Cellar, Inc. magazine having written several articles detailing sensor designs for robotic applications. His interests include robotics and space exploration and he is working on related interesting projects that could involve student help. He is also preparing an individualized mini-course to teach anyone interested how to solder. Tom was taught and certified by NASA to solder and notes that while you don't have to be as strict as NASA there are still some techniques that work better than others. Don't be surprised to see Tom wearing shorts in the middle of winter, something he started doing about 10 years ago and finds hard to change now. Stop by (Olin 208) and introduce yourself, and if you are lucky there will be treats. (Tom is known to make excuses to bake goodies, as he and his wife, Chemistry Professor Trish Ferrett say, "for the students.")

Comps Reminder: October 16 is the first comps deadline. A brief written report of your progress in selecting a comps topic is due Wednesday October 16. This should be submitted to Ann Passe.

Materials Science Open House: The University of Minnesota Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science has invited us to a Materials Science Open House on Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There will be interesting research presentations and cool laboratory tours, plus snacks and a pizza lunch. Details can be found on the poster in the second Olin lounge. Please let Cindy Blaha know if you are interested in going to the open house. If there's enough interest we can arrange for a van. Physicists, chemists, and biologists have been invited to this interdisciplinary bash, so be sure to check with your friends in other departments too.

SCIENCE NIGHT AT CARLETON LECTURE SERIES: This fall the best and brightest young science professors at Carleton are presenting a series of lectures about cutting edge topics in science as part of a Science Night at Carleton lecture series. These presentations are designed for the general public so listeners are not required to have a technical background in the fields being discussed. All lectures will be given in Olin 141 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings.

October 10

"The Science and Ethics Associated With

Genetic Cloning and Stem Cell Research"

Stephan Zweifel, Associate Professor of Biology

October 24

"Particulate Matter in the Environment:

Air Pollution, Health Effects, and Measurement Techniques"

Deborah Gross, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

November 7

"The Physics of Medical Imaging"

Nelson Christensen, Associate Professor of Physics

Internship Presentation Series: Did you have an internship over the summer? Are you eager to share your experiences with the rest of the department? We’d love to hear about it. If so, please sign up to give a 15-minute talk during our Internship Presentation series during the final five weeks of Fall Term. The talks will be given on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 -4:30 p.m. in Olin 02. We may also hold several Friday presentations during that time period in order to accommodate schedules. Please let Cindy Blaha know if you are interested in talking about your internship experiences and include a tentative title and any preferences you might have for the timing of your talk.

Seniors: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship applications are now available. These awards are for students at or near the beginning of their graduate studies in science, math and engineering. Deadline for application is November 7, 2002. Check out the web site: http://www.orau.org/nsf/nsffel.htm All applicants are expected to apply electronically. Paper-version guidelines are available in Olin 331 (Ann’s office)