physics

Jul 20, 2011

The Dirt Whisperer

Physicist Karen Daniels is finding ways to help scientists and engineers see—and hear—the forces at play in the ground. 

Jul 11, 2011

Why Does Water Freeze Before Alcohol Does?

We recently explained that one reason wine’s freezing point is much lower than water’s is because of its alcohol content. But we didn’t explain why alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water. Let’s explain that now (hint: water molecules are “stickier.”) A substance freezes when its molecules become “stuck” in a fixed array… 

Jul 1, 2011

One Person Can Change The World: Or At Least What The World Is Made Of

In 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, World War II was in full swing, and a young man named Hans Conrad was embarking on a career as a materials science researcher. Sixty-eight years later, he is still showing up to the lab every day, publishing top-notch papers and trying to figure out the physical and… 

Jun 27, 2011

Rowe’s Contributions Recognized

Dr. John E. "Jack" Rowe, research professor in physics, has won an annual award for a scientist with a longstanding record of solving technological problems. 

Jun 23, 2011

Remembering an Atomic Age Pioneer

Dr. Raymond Murray, a professor emeritus who was involved in nuclear milestones from the Manhattan Project to the Three Mile Island recovery, has died. 

Jun 22, 2011

The Dirt Whisperer

Say you’re a civil engineer, and you’re looking for a good place to put a bridge. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to ask the ground how stable it is before you start digging, like some sort of dirt whisperer?  Or how close an older bridge is to failing, after erosion has affected the… 

Jun 15, 2011

Professor Funds Physics Endowment

A $1 million endowment from longtime faculty member John S. Risley and his wife, Dellaine, will fund a physics professorship. 

May 31, 2011

Anarchy in the Pathway?

We’d be nothing without our proteins – they transport signals around cells , and so have a hand in regulating every single process in our bodies.  Scientists know that one way proteins accomplish this transport is to fold themselves into a specific shape that corresponds with a particular molecule.  Picture a lock that only opens… 

May 10, 2011

Dougherty Receives NSF Career Award

Dr. Daniel Dougherty, assistant professor of physics, received an Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation to fund research on flaws in organic semiconducting films. 

May 3, 2011

Professor Honored Posthumously

Dr. Dale Sayers, a physics professor and pioneer in the field of extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) who died unexpectedly in 2004, is a 2011 recipient of the Advanced Photon Source’s Arthur H. Compton Award. 

Apr 21, 2011

Fornes to Retire

Raymond Fornes, associate dean for research and professor of physics in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, announced his retirement effective June 1. 

Mar 9, 2011

How Magnets Work (It’s Complicated)

Occasionally, when looking for scientific issues to write about, I will survey my friends to see whether they have any “fundamental science” questions that I could explore. When someone recently suggested that I find out how magnets work, I thought it would be easy. I was wrong. First of all, I learned that there are… 

Jan 26, 2011

Into The Void: Boosting LED Energy Efficiency

LEDs are already vaunted as an energy-efficient technology for lighting, but new research shows that their efficiency can be increased by a factor of two. A paper describing the work shows that the secret is to decrease the number of defects in the gallium nitride (GaN) films used to create LEDs by incorporating cleverly placed… 

Jan 25, 2011

Voiding Defects: New Technique Makes LED Lighting More Efficient

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an increasingly popular technology for use in energy-efficient lighting. Researchers from North Carolina State University have now developed a new technique that reduces defects in the gallium nitride (GaN) films used to create LEDs, making them more efficient. 

Jan 18, 2011

Krim Named NSF Fellow

Dr. Jackie Krim, physics professor, was recently selected as an American Creativity and Innovation Fellow by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Materials Research.