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Celebrating Black History Month
Read here about Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first Black American ever to receive a PhD in Physics, and only the 6th American in history to receive that degree.
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Physics Table
Come have a relaxing chat! Tuesday, 12:25 pm on Zoom!
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Upcoming Comps Talks
Anthony Cho
Wednesday, February 3 2021
4:20 pm on ZoomStability of the Power Grid and Energy Storage
Imagine a world without electrical power. Widespread power outages, or blackouts, can result in billions of dollars in losses and fundamentally alter our quality of life. Recent research has investigated the power grid’s response to perturbations through numerical modeling techniques. One way to lower the probability of blackouts is by installing large-scale energy storage to compensate for unexpected fluctuations in energy demand.
In this talk, I portray the power grid as a complex network, and describe how cascading failures can lead to blackouts. I then discuss the mechanisms behind thermal and pumped hydro energy storage. I conclude with an analysis on how incorporating different energy storage solutions can improve the stability of the power grid.
Claire Williams
Friday, February 5 2021
4:20 pm on Zoom
The Far Future of the Universe
Physics allows us to predict the future behavior of systems, offering a glimpse into the fate of our universe in the far, far future. In this talk, we will trace the development of a cosmological model that predicts very different futures based on just a few parameters, and the observational efforts to measure those values. This story spans the 20th century, from Einstein’s formulation of general relativity to the discovery of the accelerating universe at the turn of the millennium, and continues today with research efforts such as mapping the cosmic microwave background. Our current understanding is that spacetime itself is accelerating in its expansion due to the effects of a mysterious cosmological constant. We will explore the implications of this cosmological framework on the evolution of stars, galaxies, and other objects in space over timescales many orders of magnitude greater than the current age of the universe, and follow a future timeline across the eras of the universe.
Midterm Break
Monday, February 8 2021
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Summer opportunities with the AAPM
From The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM): two summer opportunities designed for undergraduate physics students.   The deadline for both programs is 2/3/2021.The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is pleased to announce the 2021 Grant and Fellowship offerings: Additional information and applications can be found on our website.If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at jackie@aapm.org or 571-298-1228.Jacqueline Ogburn -
Data Science summer intern
The Role:Â
Do you have a passion for applying analytical reasoning to real-world problems? Do you have a strong mathematical background and understand ML fundamentals? Are you fascinated by the deep learning advancements in GANs, CNNs, RNNs, Transformers, and RL but also are excited about classic approaches such as SVM and Random Forest? If so, then Proofpoint’s ML Labs team is looking for a Data Science Summer Intern like you!
Check out the website for more details and to apply.
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Post-bac research fellowships
Paglia Post-Bac Research Fellowship for Graduating Seniors:
Applications are now open for the Paglia Post-Bac Research Fellowship, intended to support graduating seniors with a strong interest in a career in scientific research as they experience working life in a lab/research group at a U.S. Research One (R1) institution for a period of one year (for international students) or two years (for US citizens or permanent residents). Graduating seniors with a major in a discipline represented on Carleton’s STEM Board (Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology) are eligible to apply. Find out more about the expectations, eligibility requirements, and application process.  Application deadline is 5 PM on Friday, February 26, 2021.
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DiversiTea event
DiversiTEA presents: A conversation on bullying and high-functioning autism (Asperger’s) in the workplace. Join us during common time (12:25-1:25pm) on 6th Tuesday (2/9) for a video showing and discussion over Zoom. We hope to see you there! -
Kolenkow-Reitz info session
Kolenkow-Reitz Fellowship information session for studentsThe Kolenkow-Reitz fellowship provides research support for Carleton students working with non-Carleton science and math faculty at another institution during the summer. These research opportunities are intended to encourage Carleton students’ development as scientists and their exploration of mathematics and the sciences as a possible career, and are appropriate for students at any stage of their STEM exploration! At this information session, we’ll demystify what the fellowship is all about, how to find opportunities, how advisors and trusted faculty members can help students find opportunities, and what the application process looks like.The application deadline is 5:00 PM on Monday, March 29, 2021.Questions? Contact Amy Csizmar Dalal or Stephanie Schroeder -
Fun stuff from APS
This Week in Physics Magazine — February 1, 2021
Research News Cosmic Ringtones in Pulsar Data?
January 28, 2021
A pulsar survey has detected a potential signal from low-frequency gravitational waves, which theorists are eager to explain.
Viewpoint Selective Bond Breaking with Splat Chemistry
Melissa A. Hines – February 1, 2021
Colliding a large organic molecule with a surface can break a specific chemical bond in the molecule with surprising precision.
Viewpoint Excavating Topology to Find Structure
Suraj Shankar – January 27, 2021
Eighteenth century mathematics of soil transport helps uncover hidden order in disordered systems, such as tissues and glasses.
Advertisement 2021 APS Annual Leadership Meeting – Register Free
On February 4 & 6, hear from Alan Alda, Brian Greene, Kip Thorne, and other leaders about how to address challenges in physics, and how to communicate science to the public.
Focus New Electron Trap Might Help Quantum Computers
January 29, 2021
Long-time trapping of a single electron could allow the particle to be used as an efficient quantum bit.
synopsis Ironing Out Cosmic Rays
January 28, 2021
A spectrometer on the International Space Station has measured the energy spectrum of iron—the heaviest cosmic-ray element characterized to date.
synopsis The Role of Phonons in a Topological Material
January 27, 2021
Unusual interactions occur between phonons and electrons in the topological semimetal tungsten diphosphide, a finding that could explain some of the material’s strange properties.
synopsis A New Twist on Exciton Lifetimes
January 26, 2021
Varying the twist angle between layers of a 2D semiconductor can prolong the duration of resonances that give the material its unique optoelectronic properties.
Feature Biochemistry Among the Stars
January 29, 2021
Physicist Mike Famiano explores the possibility that nuclear processes in extreme astrophysical environments might be responsible for a puzzling aspect of biochemistry.
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List of scholarships / financial resources for STEM students
This list is from an outside source; some monies apply to high school seniors, while many are for undergraduate students. Many have various restrictions, found through the links.
