Physics Department in the News

2007-2008 2006 2005

In Granular System, Tiniest Grains Absorb Shocks "Like a Sponge" View Photo 12/14/06, A University at Buffalo theoretical physicist who published research in 2001 demonstrating that it someday may be possible to build bridges, buildings and other structures that are nearly blast-proof, now has published results based on computer simulations showing how a shock-absorption system might be constructed to accomplish that goal.

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A "Spin-Voltaic" Effect May Enable Silicon Spintronics 10/17/06, Can conventional semiconductors learn new tricks? Igor Zutic is betting that they can. Zutic, a University at Buffalo theoretical physicist and the recipient of a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award, is finding ways to introduce spintronic properties and a phenomenon called spin injection into silicon.

Toward Terahertz Detectors on a Single, Conventional Chip View Photo 10/05/06, University at Buffalo researchers and their collaborators at other institutions have been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant, under the NSF Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT) initiative, to develop semiconductor-based terahertz detectors that can be integrated seamlessly with conventional electronics. The grant is one of only 10 that the NSF has funded from more than 400 applications received.

UB Students Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa 05/22/06, Students at the University at Buffalo recently were inducted into the Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honorary society.

28 Honored As Outstanding Seniors in CAS 05/22/06, Twenty-eight students were honored for being the outstanding graduating senior in departments within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo's 160th general commencement ceremony held on May 14.

Strange Bedfellows: Exhibition Celebrates Physics, Arts View Photo 05/05/06, In the lobby of a nondescript brick building on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus, a unique marriage of sorts is taking place through a new "Physics and Arts Exhibition."

Newman, Sample to be Honored at UB's 160th Commencement 05/01/06, Reginald B. Newman II, chairman and former president of NOCO Energy Corp., a family-owned petroleum company, and longtime friend and supporter of UB, will receive the Chancellor Charles P. Norton Medal, UB's highest award, during the university's 160th general commencement ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. May 14 in Alumni Arena, North (Amherst) Campus.

Dramatic Foucault Pendulum to be Installed at UB 04/13/06, The Physics Department in the University at Buffalo's College of Arts and Sciences will install a dramatic, 25-foot-long Foucault Pendulum extending from the third floor of Fronczak Hall to the lobby level of the building on the UB North (Amherst) Campus at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 14.

UB Sets High School Physics and Arts Summer Program 04/10/06, Aspiring physicists who also appreciate the arts are invited to apply for the University at Buffalo's first Physics & Arts Summer Institute for high school students, sponsored by the Department of Physics in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.

McCombe to Serve as Interim Dean of College of Arts and Sciences 04/07/06, Bruce D. McCombe will serve as interim dean of the University at Buffalo's College of Arts and Sciences effective July l and until the university identifies a successor to Uday P. Sukhatme through a national search.

UB Reporter: Junior physics faculty lead the way 03/30/06, Attention to excellence in hiring and teaching has led to an impressive number of nationally recognized new faculty awards in the Department of Physics. The department, which has marked consistent growth in the past few years, boasts a remarkable five current National Science Foundation (NSF) awards, three of which are new for 2006.

Top University to Award Prasad Its Highest Honor View Photo 03/13/06, This fall, Paras N. Prasad, Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry at UB and executive director of its Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics, will travel to China to receive the honorary professorship in a dedication ceremony at Zhejiang University (ZJU), one of China's top research universities.

Free Saturday Lectures Targeted to High School Students 02/17/06, The Cutting Edge Lecture Series, a free series of Saturday-morning seminars in which top University at Buffalo scholars and alumni give presentations aimed at increasing public awareness of the rapid advancements being made in a number of academic and professional fields, will open its 2006 edition on Feb. 25.