Month: March 2019

Have you wondered what Biophysics is and what Biophysicists do? This is your week to find out! The Clemson Biophysical Society is hosting Biophysics Week 2019 this week. Thursday at 4:00pm We will have a special colloquium in Kinard G01. Mary Elting will tell us about her research on self-organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Friday at 5:30PM we will have a General Public Event at the Watt Center (rm 106). At 5:30 PM Prof. Sanabria will tell us about the single molecule biophysics research occurring at Clemson. Then at 6:00PM there will be a VR show. Then at 6:30PM Delphine Dean will tell us about multi scale bioelectromechanics research occurring at Clemson. Please join us for these stimulating talks and learn more about what Biophysics is all about!

A new paper published by He Huang, a postdoc working with Xian, and collaborators has been featured on the cover of JGR Space Physics. The image shows an ionospheric density map showing a strong asymmetry in the values on either side of the magnetic equator as well as longitudinal structure. Please join me in congratulating He and Xian on their excellent work!

There has been quite a flurry of excitement about quantum mechanics in the news. First there is the paper reported in MIT Review claiming an experiment that “suggests” objective reality does not exist. Massimiliano Proietti at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and colleagues recreated what is known as the Wigner’s Friend thought experiment in the lab. These authors suggest that, ” that one or more of the assumptions—the idea that there is a reality we can agree on, the idea that we have freedom of choice, or the idea of locality—must be wrong.”

Not to be outdone by proving that an objective reality doesn’t exist, another group of researchers claim to have used a quantum computer to reverse the arrow of time. The authors write that, “Using this algorithm on an IBM quantum computer enables us to experimentally demonstrate a backward time dynamics for an electron scattered on a two-level impurity.” If you are wondering where the semester went, perhaps we can turn back time after all. Or maybe that isn’t objectively true, it just seems like it.

Emil Alexov has been awarded a CUSHR Faculty Fellowship for the Summer and Fall 2019. The goal of these fellowships is to develop research relationships between Clemson University and Prisma Health. Emil’s focus will be translating laboratory science to clinical medicine with the intent of developing a series of molecular assays related to common drugs used in the practice of clinical medicine. Let’s all congratulate Emil on this well deserved fellowship! 

Miguel Larsen and collaborators recently published a paper in Nature Communications titled, “Major upwelling and overturning in the mid-latitude F region ionosphere“.

The sensitivity of the large antenna and high transmitter power of the Arecibo Observatory radar allows them to observe dynamical structure in the upper ionosphere with unparalleled temporal and spatial resolution. The observations described in the paper show the presence of plasma turbulence at heights where conventional theory predicts that such structure should not be able to exist. Using a numerical model they were able to show that the instabilities responsible for the structure are driven by a combination of neutral and plasma dynamics that occurs much lower in the ionosphere but is connected to the higher altitudes via the Earth’s magnetic field lines. The structuring and overturning associated with the phenomenon has implications for our understanding of the physics of the region, as well as some practical implications for satellites and and radio communications that operate in or pass through that region.

Read more about this work at
Hysell, D., Larsen, M., Fritts, D., Laughman, B., & Sulzer, M., Nature Communications, (2018) 9: 3326

The annual meeting of the Physics Teacher Education Coalition or PhysTEC was held March 2-3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts and Clemson University had a seat at the table for the first time. Attending the PhysTEC 2019 meeting were Profs. Sean Brittain and Chad Sosolik, who gave a presentation on their 3-year project with the Laurens County school districts entitled “STEM Training for K­-12 Teachers: A Pilot Program in Upstate South Carolina”.

The Dept. of Physics and Astronomy became  a PhysTEC member institution this past Fall as part of its ongoing effort to recognize and enhance the teaching and outreach components of its mission. PhysTEC, which was founded in 2001, is a network of institutions committed to developing and promoting excellence in physics and physical science teacher preparation. The organization operates as a partnership between the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

At PhysTEC 2019, attendees learned about ongoing efforts to improve physics teacher education at the undergraduate level, many of which may find their way onto the Clemson University campus. These include the UTeach Model and the Get the Facts Out initiative, which is focused on addressing the misperceptions and lack of knowledge that many students and professional physicists have about the teaching profession.

Since 2001, every year astronomers of South Carolina get together in what is known as the MASC (meeting of the astronomers of South Carolina) meeting. This year’s edition was hosted at Clemson on March 2nd and had more than 40 participants.

Hugo has been honored with the 2019 Young Fluorescence Investigator award. This award recognizes the excellent work our colleague has done and is well deserved!

Livability.com has ranked Greenville, SC #10 in their annual report of the 100 best places to live. According to their website,

We always start with data: this year, we examined more than 1,000 cities based on thousands of data points measuring economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care.

They polled 1,000 millennials to find out what matters most to them about where they live. Coming in at #10 is our very own Greenville, SC. They say that one of our strengths is the food scene in Greenville, but that’s not all. They write,

The city’s downtown is a premier destination for dining, shopping and entertainment, but outside of that, Greenville is home to an array of outdoor recreation opportunities thanks to its prime location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In addition to the wonderful amenities the upstate has to offer, it is also a remarkably affordable place to live. Let’s get the word out to prospective colleagues and students that the Upstate is a great place to work and play!

Professor Takacs and his students have formed a chapter of Newton’s Apple Club. Led by Bishwambhar Sengupta, this group worked with faculty and staff across campus to get a direct descendent of Newton’s Apple tree planted on campus. Read more about that here.