Departmental News
Apr. 13, 2012
KU High Energy Postdoc Featured in CMS Press Release
KU Postdoc at CMS,Gemma Tinti, appears in a CMS news note from the Physics Today web page for Friday April 13. The short article discusses attempts to discover exceptionally rare particles hidden in time loops. For the complete story, click on
this link.
Apr. 10, 2012
New KU YouTube Video Features UG Physics Research
Sophomore Juliet Remmers, a dance major, received an undergraduate research award to conduct Physics research at KU. Her project with Prof. Dave Besson is featured in a new on-line video promoting undergraduate research experiences at KU. The video is accessible on YouTube via
this link.
Apr. 04, 2012
Department Majors Win Two Goldwater Scholarships!
As part of a four-for-four sweep by KU within the Goldwater Scholarship competition, Jeremy Ims (Astronomy, Physics, Math) and Brittany Nicole Krutty (Physics) have been selected as Goldwater Scholars for 2012. The full list of winners
nationwide can be found at this link. Of the schools currently in the
Big 12 or planning to join in the future, only KU had all four nominees receive scholarships. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
Apr. 04, 2012
Researcher's Innovation Boosts Performance of Graphene for Solar Panels
Judy Wu, Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and her research group,in collaboration with Professor Rongqing Hui's group in KU electrical engineering and computer science, have developed a technique for attaching a layer of metal nanoparticles to graphene, vastly improving graphene's capacity to soak up sunlight and re-emit it in a much-condensed form due to "plasmonic resonance," a critical step toward high-efficiency solar cells that drastically improves their light absorption. The full story can be accessed at this link.
April 02, 2012
In Memoriam: Mavis Wiseman, 1918 - 2012
Mavis Paterson Wiseman, 94, wife of Professor Emeritus Gordon Wiseman, passed away on April 1, 2012 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
A memorial service for Mavis will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence. More details can be found at this link
Feb. 28, 2012
Electron-detection breakthrough could unleash next-generation technologies
Physics researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered a new method of detecting electric currents based on a process called "second-harmonic generation," similar to a radar gun for electrons that can remotely detect their speed. Dr. Hui Zhao, collaborated on the research at KU's Ultrafast Laser Lab with Dr. Judy Wu, University Distinguished Professor of Physics, and graduate students Brian Ruzicka, Lalani Werake, Guowei Xu. The full story can be accessed at this link.
Feb. 27, 2012
16 Things: Steve Hawley traveled the world and outer space before returning to KU
As part of a semiregular series for the Lawrence Journal World, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Steve Hawley, was interviewed to discuss 16 things that he has done that have influenced his life in one way or another. The full story can be accessed at this link.
Steve is the second department faculty member interviewed for the series, following in the footsteps of Prof. Anthony-Twarog.
Feb. 21, 2012
Research links uplifting continents to crashes in biodiversity on Earth
A mysterious cycle of booms and busts in marine biodiversity over the past 500 million years could be tied to a periodic uplifting of the world's continents, as reported in a paper coauthored by Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Adrian Melott, in the latest issue of The Journal of Geology. The full story can be accessed at this link.
Feb. 09, 2012
ING Honors University of Kansas Professor for Excellence in Teaching
Financial services leader ING has honored University of Kansas Professor Greg Rudnick with the ING Professor of Excellence Award for his outstanding performance in the classroom and commitment to the profession. The award was presented at Allen Fieldhouse during the Kansas vs. Oklahoma men's basketball game. The ING Professor of Excellence Award is presented to a member of the university faculty for his or her achievements and dedication to excellence in teaching at the university. The recognition includes a $1,000 grant. The full story can be accessed here. A video of the award can be viewed here.
Jan. 08, 2012
AAS Dispatch: Astronaut Looks Back at 50 Years of Human Spaceflight
For the KU Astrophysics program, it was an exciting week in Austin at the 219th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Among two of the many highlights, program alumnus, retired astronaut, and current faculty member Professor Steve Hawley, (BA: Astronomy, Physics 1973), gave an invited talk on the 50-year history of human spaceflight, a talk which ended with a standing ovation from the audience of over 1000 astronomers. At the same meeting, it was announced that Dr. Ron Gilliland, (BA: Astronomy, Math, Physics, 1974) has been awarded the Tinsley Prize for 2012. For more on Ron's research, check out the alumni news page.
Dec. 14, 2011
ATLAS/CMS Focus in on the Higgs
The ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC, which include a number of KU Physics and Astronomy faculty and students in High Energy and Nuclear Physics, issued a press release updating the status of the experimental quest to identify the elusive Higgs particle, a fundamental prediction of the standard model of elementary particle physics. Thanks to the exceptional technology being employed to identify the Higgs, the allowed mass range for the particle has been narrowed to
between 115 and 130 Gev, with evidence for an excess signal near 125 Gev. The full release is accessible at this link.
Dec. 06, 2011
A Peek into the Universe's Ancient Past
Dr. Greg Rudnick, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas, is observing one of the earliest known clusters of galaxies, which is 10 billion light years away. Because of this "trick" of nature, he is getting a snapshot of the universe when it was 10 billion years younger than it is today, or only about 4 billion years after the Big Bang. The full story can be accessed here.
Nov. 20, 2011
Department Professor Named Fellow of the American Physical Society
Congratulations to Professor Alice Bean on being named a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
All APS members are eligible for nomination and election to Fellowship. Each 
nomination is evaluated by the Fellowship committee of the appropriate APS division, topical group or forum. After review by the APS Fellowship Committee, the successful candidates are elected by APS Council. Fellowship is therefore a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers.
Oct. 16, 2011
Department Alumnus and Former Faculty Member, Dr. Henry Horak: 1919 - 2011
Dr. Henry Horak (BA Astronomy 1940, MA Astronomy 1947), who served for 17 years on the faculty at KU in the Department of Physics and Astronomy before beginning a distinguished career at Los Alamos, passed away on Oct. 11, 2011, after a long battle with Altzheimer's. Dr. Horak received his PhD at the University of Chicago under Nobel Laureate and astrophysicist, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. An extended presentation of his life
and career, compiled in 1998 as part of a history of the Astronomy program at KU, can be found at this link.
Oct. 01, 2011
Physics and Astronomy Prof Featured in KU Alumni Magazine
Steve Hawley, retired astronaut and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, is featured in the cover story for the KU Alumni magazine for Fall 2011, discussing the future of the US in space. The entire article is accessible for free on line or by clicking on this link. Dr. Hawley will present a public lecture entitled Wings in Orbit - The Legacy of the Space Shuttle at 3:30 PM on Saturday, Nov. 05 at the Spencer Museum of Art on the KU campus. A reception and book-signing will follow the talk, which is free and open to the public.
August 24, 2011
Study of Extraterrestrial Life at KU Is Rare Undergraduate Opportunity
Few universities can claim to offer study in extra-terrestrial life with a course taught by an astronaut. Count the University of Kansas among those that can. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a rare opportunity to undergraduate students in its minor in astrobiology. There are only two other institutions in the nation that offer an astrobiology minor.
August 10, 2011
Annual $10,000 Scholarships Available for Students Interested in Renewable Energy
KU received a $552,000 grant last month from the National Science Foundation. The grant provides tuition scholarships for sophomores and juniors with an interest in studying renewable energy. The students must be majoring in science, technology, engineering or math - the so-called STEM disciplines - and satisfy other requirements. Selected students will receive a $10,000 annual scholarship, starting this fall and renewable for up to three years. Working closely with Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy Judy Wu on the renewable energy scholarships grant are core faculty members Val Smith, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; Susan Stagg-Williams, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering; Cindy Berrie, associate professor of chemistry; Barbara Anthony-Twarog, professor of physics and astronomy; and Lucas Miller, a mathematics instructor at Haskell.
August 02, 2011
Animated Video Will Teach Students Physics Behind Superconductors
Researchers and educators at the University of Kansas are producing an animated video for upper elementary and middle school-aged youth to boost their understanding of superconductors and nanotechnology. The project, funded by a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, is led by KU Physics and Astronomy professors Judy Wu and Alice Bean, along with Teresa MacDonald, director of education at the KU Natural History Museum.
May 30, 2011
Graduate Student Wins Award for Outstanding Master's Thesis
Congratulations to Drew Overholt, who has received the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award this year from the College for his thesis Testing the Link Between Terrestrial Climate Change and Galactic Spiral Arm Transit. In addition to the fanfare, he gets a $500 cash award. This is the second year in a row that a student within Astrobiophysics has received this award.
May 15, 2011
Graduate Student Awarded Two Fellowships
Congratulations to Caitlin Rochford, who has been awarded a 2011 KU Summer Research Fellowship and an
American Association of University Women American Fellowship for the 2011-2012 academic year.
April 28, 2011
Returning Graduate Student Wins NSF Graduate Fellowship
Congratulations to Jessica (Snyder) Stockham, who has been awarded an NSF Graduate Fellowship to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics at KU. She was SPS president and did research with Profs. Murray and Besson, graduating with BS degrees in Astronomy and Engineering Physics in 2009. This spring she will receive an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. She returns to KU and Physics this coming fall. Jessica is the third departmental recipient of an
NSF graduate fellowship in three years.
April 02, 2011
Astrobiophysics Research Featured in Nature column
Research by Dr. Adrian Melott of KU and KU alum Brian Thomas, now an associate professor at Washburn University, on extinction events triggered by astronomical causes beyond the solar system has been featured in an on-line column Nature - Physics entitled Written in the Stars.
April 01, 2011
Departmental UG Research Featured On-line at KU
Training the body and mind: Juliet Remmers , a dance major who conducts physics research, is designing a radio antenna that would help sense neutrinos - elementary particles that travel near the speed of light - of unprecedented energy. Remmers received a $2,000 Undergraduate Research Award in 2010 to support her work with David Besson, professor of physics and astronomy.
April 11, 2011
KU Celebrates Kansan Clyde Tombaugh and the Discovery of Pluto.
Show your support for Clyde Tombaugh and Pluto by filling the Kansas Union Ballroom, Tues. April 19, 6:30 - 9:30 PM.
March 31, 2011
Department Major Wins Goldwater Scholarship for 2011
Congratulations to Logan James Wille on his selection as a
Goldwater Scholar for 2011-2012. Logan, a junior from Lawrence, was one of four nominees from the University of Kansas to compete nationally for a Goldwater Scholarship, regarded as the premier undergraduate award to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics. Logan is investigating supercapacitors, devices that are key for the advancement of technology and the use of renewable energy, in the lab of Dr. Judy Wu, University Distinguished Professor of Physics.
March 11, 2011
A Physics First: Researchers Detect the Curving Flight of a Spinning Electron.
For years, physicists have predicted that electrons would curve through solid materials because every electron spins either clockwise or counterclockwise. The problem has been that because they are so small and fast, the curving electrons have been impossible to observe. Hui Zhao, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas, has confirmed that spinning electrons curve as they pass through a semiconductor. His paper, co-authored by KU graduate students Lalani Werake and Brian Ruzicka, will appear in a forthcoming issue of Physical Review Letters and an accompanying Physical Review Focus story.
March 11, 2011
Departmental Majors Win Undergraduate Research Awards..
Four undergraduates in the Department have been selected to receive undergraduate research awards for Spring 2011. The students
and their mentors include: Edward John Fensholt, senior in physics with Dr. K.C. Kong, assistant professor of physics and astronomy; Brittany Nicole Krutty, sophomore in physics with Dr. Michael Murray, associate professor of physics and astronomy; Caleb Michael Christianson, sophomore in engineering physics with Dr. Judy Wu, University Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy; and Subhankar Halder, junior in mathematics and physics with Dr. Bozenna Pasik Duncan, professor of mathematics.
March 11, 2011
Department Major Nominated for Goldwater Competition.
Logan James Wille, a junior from Lawrence, has been selected as one of four nominees from the University of Kansas to compete nationally for a Goldwater Scholarship, regarded as the premier undergraduate award to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.
Logan is investigating supercapacitors — devices that are key for the advancement of technology and the use of renewable energy - in the lab of Dr. Judy Wu, University Distinguished Professor of Physics.
February 28, 2011
PESO/SPS win FIRST PLACE for their interactive display at the KU Engineering EXPO 2011..
PESO and SPS participated in the 100th annual School of Engineering EXPO on 2/25 and 2/26. Over 1300 K-12 students and parents attended the two
day event where they participated in design competitions and toured the Engineering complex to view displays from over 25 of the Engineering
department's student organizations. The PESO/SPS "display" WON FIRST PLACE!!! Check out the trophy!
PESO and SPS brought a student-built rocket launcher and showed off several of the Physics department's demos including the Van de Graaff
generator, Ruben's tube, Meissner effect demo, and much more.
February 11, 2011
Distinguished Alum Clyde Tombaugh selected by Ad Astra - Kansas for Science in Kansas - 150 Years and Counting.
The group identified 150 scientists over the history of Kansas who define quality scientific research in the state and will make trading cards of the scientists available. The target audience is K-12 teachers and students, but anyone can access these cards as they appear throughout the year. Clyde Tombaugh (BA 1936, MA Astronomy 1939)is among the 12 honorees named in February 2011.
February 07, 2011
Physicists call for alien messaging protocol
In a submission to the international journal, Space Policy, postgraduate astrophysicists Dimitra Atri of KU, Julia DeMarines and Jacob Haqq-Misra suggested that a protocol be developed to improve the likelihood that messages would be understood. The story about this paper is featured in ITNews.
February 04, 2011
Distinguished Professor Judy Wu selected by Ad Astra - Kansas for Science in Kansas - 150 Years and Counting.
The group identified 150 scientists over the history of Kansas who define quality scientific research in the state and will make trading cards of the scientists available. The target audience is K-12 teachers and students, but anyone can access these cards as they appear throughout the year. Dr. Wu is among the first 12 of the 150 honorees.
February 03, 2011
KU Celebrates Kansan Clyde Tombaugh and the Discovery of Pluto.
********************CANCELED************ DUE TO WEATHER-RELATED ISSUES *** Show your support for Clyde Tombaugh and Pluto by filling the Kansas Union Ballroom, Thurs. Feb. 3, 6:30 - 9:30 PM.
December 23, 2010
Physics Today then chose this as a news pick on their website for Dec. 23.
November 01, 2010
Lawrence, Kansas native Karole Armitage returns to the Lied Center with her contemporary and internationally renowned dance company, Armitage Gone! Dance. The troupe will perform Three Theories, a new, evening-long dance piece derived from the theoretical physics outlined in Brian Greene's best-selling book The Elegant Universe. With choreography inspired and informed by Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum mechanics and string theory (which resolves the conflict between the very big, humans, planets and galaxies and the very small, atoms, electrons and quarks), the work also features a multifaceted soundscape and kinetic projected imagery.
September 10, 2010
'Spintronics' breakthrough holds promise for next-generation computers.
Using powerful lasers, Hui Zhao , assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas, and graduate student Lalani Werake have discovered a new way to recognize currents of spinning electrons within a semiconductor.
September 8, 2010
A Successful surgery for Physics & Astronomy Emeritus Faculty Member
It's been nearly 3 weeks since Dr. Bob Friauf had his left hip replaced surgically. The surgery was a success and he's still doing therapy and resting at home. A full recovery seems to be at hand. We are all very happy to hear of the great end results of Bob's surgery and look forward to seeing him back here again in the department.
August 30, 2010
Twenty-four women featured on the 2010-11 University of Kansas Women of Distinction calendar will be honored Monday, Aug. 30, with a reception. The women represent faculty, staff and students. Some are recent graduates. All have distinguished achievements in their work on campus and in communities locally, regionally and abroad. The three faculty members selected this year are Alice Bean, professor of physics and astronomy; Estele Gavosto, associate professor of mathematics and associate director of KU's Office for Diversity in Science Training; and Donna K. Ginther, professor of economics and director of KU's Center for Economic and Business Analysis in the Institute for Policy and Social Research.
August 16, 2010
Mt. Oread Scholars to make symbolic walk up the hill on Aug. 16th
Each spring, graduating seniors at the University of Kansas celebrate their academic accomplishments by taking a symbolic walk down Mount Oread. At 8:30 a.m. Monday, August 16, the 2010-11 class of Mount Oread Scholars will signify the beginning of their higher education journeys with a walk up the hill. Among the 197 Mt. Oread Scholars are five incoming freshman majors within the Department of Physics and Astronomy:
William Christopher Dale of Topeka, KS, majoring in Physics
Kyle J. Gegen of Nowthen, MN, majoring in Engineering Physics
Michael Don Paul Henninger of Salina, KS, majoring in Physics
James Lockwood Lipscomb of Ft. Scott, KS, majoring in Engineering Physics
Kyle Logan Maddox of Cimarron, KS, majoring in Physics and Math
July 13, 2010
THE DEMISE OF THE DEATH STAR
Recent research on the existence of Nemesis, the hypothetical Death Star, published by Dr. Adrian Melott in collaboration with Richard Bambach of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, has generated a wave of interest and citations among the many sources of science news accessible on the Web. A few examples can be examined at WIRED SCIENCE, Discover, and The Register.
July 02, 2010
Department of Physics and Astronomy Mourns Alumnus and former Staff Member: Steven "Vince" Vincent Reinert, 1956-2010
Funeral services for Steven "Vince" Vincent Reinert, 54, Lawrence will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. He was a resident of Lawrence for over 20 years.
He was born on June 10, 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma the son of Vincent Virgil and Bernice McEnulty Reinert.
In 1979 he received his B.S. from the University of Kansas in Engineering Physics. He was employed as a Computer Systems Manager in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Kansas from 1990 - 2005. He enjoyed reading and cooking.
He married Crystal Cunningham. They later divorced.
Survivors include one brother, Mike Reinert, Lawrence; and one aunt, Melva McEnulty, Emmett, Kansas.
The family will greet friends from 5 to 6:30 Tuesday July 6, 2010 at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
June 18, 2010
Physics and Astronomy Department Announces Annual Undergraduate Student Award Winners
Entering the Fall 2010 semester, the Department of Physics and Astronomy is pleased to announce that the following students have been awarded scholarships within the department: Sophomore Jeremy H. Ims and Freshman Gregory H. Pach will receive Tombaugh Scholarships in Astronomy, Sophomore Brittany N. Krutty will receive the Undergraduate Scholars Award, Senior Benjamin B. Tannewald will receive the Stranathan Award, Sophomore Alexander J. Porter will receive the Hansel Scholarship in Engineering Physics, Freshman Hanna E. Cosgrove will receive the Badgley Scholarship, Sophomores Siddhant Sharma and Abhishek Chakrabarti will receive the Prosser Scholarship, and Sophomore Arlo R. Osler will be given the Harriett Johnson Scholarship in Astronomy.
May 18, 2010
Fermilab scientists find evidence for significant matter-antimatter asymmetry
Exciting results have been reported from the D0 collaboration including, from KU, Drs. Phil Baringer, Alice Bean, and Graham Wilson, Research Associate Dr. Jadranka Sekaric, and graduate students Guo Chen, Justace Clutter, and Carrie McGivern. The Fermilab Press release can be accessed at Fermilab PR , while the report for the New York Times, entitled "A New Clue to Explain Existence" can be perused at NYTimes on-line.
May 04, 2010
Congratulations to: graduate student Dimitra Atri on being awarded the 2010 Outstanding Thesis/Research Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for his Physics M.S. thesis work on the terrestrial atmospheric effects of cosmic rays.
Apr. 28, 2010
Apr. 08, 2010
Apr. 05, 2010
Mar. 20, 2010
Department Mourns Retired Professor Ralph Krone (1919 - 2010)
Mar. 08, 2010
Feb. 11, 2010
Assistant Professor Hui Zhao Receives CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation
Jan. 11, 2010
Department Mourns Professor Emeritus and Former Chair, John P. Davidson: 1924 - 2010
Dec. 14, 2009
Kansas scientists probe mysterious possible comet strikes on Earth.
Nov. 23, 2009
LHC up and running!!!! The The first CMS event can be seen at this link.
Oct. 06, 2009
Kansas EPSCoR awarded $20 million for climate change, renewable energy research. Read the KU Press Release.
Sept. 24, 2009
Prof. Greg Rudnick discusses the new HST on the Walt Bodine Show on NPR. Listen to the Sept. 24 broadcast on the Walt Bodine Archives.
Aug. 25, 2009
Physical Review Letters selected papers from D0 and CDF on the discovery of electroweak production of the top quark at Fermilab's Tevatron as their result of the week/Aug. 24. The D0 collaboration includes Profs. Baringer, Bean and Wilson and graduate students Justace Clutter, Guo Chen and Carrie McGivern.
Aug. 19, 2009
Prof. Barbara Anthony-Twarog discusses Identified Flying Objects on the Walt Bodine Show on NPR Listen to the Aug. 19 broadcast on the Walt Bodine Archives.
Aug. 14, 2009
Prof. Steve Hawley discusses the future of the space program and manned missions with Steve Kraske on NPR - Up to Date. Listen to the Aug. 14 broadcast.
June 22, 2009
KU mourns longtime physics professor Raymond Ammar.
May 17, 2009
Professor Alice L. Bean selected by students to receive the Gould Award for Undergraduate Education.
May 10, 2009
Engineering Physics undergrads compete in AIAA Design/Build/Fly Competition in Tucson.
April 20, 2009
April 06, 2009
KU Professor of Physics and Astronomy featured in the latest edition of KU Professor Profile. For the You-Tube video, see this site.
March 27, 2009
Congratulations to grad student Jennifer Sibille, selected as a Marie Curie Initial Training Network Early Stage Researcher, in the Marie Curie - PArticle Detectors network. The fellowship funds three years of study in Europe, with the majority at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland.
March 20, 2009
At KU, local high school students to comb data from European atom smasher
March 11, 2009
March 05, 2009
Garden City students to receive letters from astronauts, including KU professor
January 10, 2009
KU Researcher Unearths New Proof of Die-off Timetable
January 09, 2009
Department Majors Win Math Awards: Jeremy Ims, Jacob Herman, and Subhankar Halder
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