Bulletin of the American Physical Society
11th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Section of APS
Volume 54, Number 6
Thursday–Saturday, May 14–16, 2009; Vancouver, BC, Canada
Session A1: Welcome and Plenary Session I |
Hide Abstracts |
Chair: Kara Keeter, Black Hills State University Room: Hennings 200 |
Friday, May 15, 2009 8:15AM - 8:23AM |
A1.00001: Welcome and Opening Remarks
|
Friday, May 15, 2009 8:23AM - 8:59AM |
A1.00002: Identifying, measuring, and teaching physics expertise Invited Speaker: Our goal in physics courses is to teach students to think about and solve physics problems like a physicist. But what does that really mean? I will discuss research on identifying those unique components of how a physicist thinks that distinguish their thinking from that of mere mortals. I will also discuss how these particular components of thinking can be better measured and taught. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, May 15, 2009 8:59AM - 9:35AM |
A1.00003: Frontiers in Nuclear Theory: From Light Nuclei to Astrophysics Invited Speaker: Nuclear theory today aims at a comprehensive understanding of properties of nuclides in the whole nuclear chart. A number of challenges are encountered by theorists along the road of accomplishing this goal. Recent progresses in many fronts lead to a renaissance of nuclear physics. Advances in effective field theory provide us with a tool to derive nuclear forces starting from the fundamental theory of Quantum-Chromo-Dynamics: two- and three-body forces among nucleons arise naturally and consistently with each other. This complex nature of the nuclear force generates a broad diversity of phenomena, especially in nuclei far from stability. A fascinating example is the arising of halo nuclear structures leading to extremely large radial extensions. Owing to their short lifetimes, most of these nuclei do not naturally exist on Earth. To be studied they must be synthesized in the laboratory, at the so-called radioactive beam facilities, like TRIUMF. Measurements provide a test of the predictive power of theoretical models. Nowadays, thanks to the advent of high performance computing, new ab-initio methods for the solution of the quantum many-body problem become available. Exotic properties of nuclei can be derived directly from the interaction among protons and neutrons. Furthermore, the investigation of astrophysical implications of nuclear processes, e.g. in the nucleosynthesis of elements is another key aspect in nuclear theory. This synergy between nuclear physics and astrophysics makes the scenario even more exciting. I will discuss some advances in the field with emphasis on future perspective. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, May 15, 2009 9:35AM - 10:11AM |
A1.00004: The Dark Side of the Universe Invited Speaker: Dark Matter and Dark Energy are accepted as legitimate constituents of our Universe. In this talk I will review the numerous observational evidences supporting the existence of the dark side of the Universe, which is why cosmologists claim shamelessly that 95{\%} of the Universe is made of something they do not know the nature of. I will then discuss many of the hypothetical physical origins for Dark Matter and Dark Energy and outline the major research directions now undertaken in order to test the various possible ideas. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, May 15, 2009 10:11AM - 10:31AM |
A1.00005: BREAK
|
Friday, May 15, 2009 10:31AM - 11:07AM |
A1.00006: Snowflakes, Stress and Semiconductors: Do You See a Pattern Here? Invited Speaker: Fractals are patterns that repeat at many magnifications. These intricate patterns are found throughout nature, ranging from clouds, rivers and lightning through to our brains, blood vessels and lungs. Due to their prevalence in nature and their growing impact on cultures around the world, fractals have assumed a rapidly expanding role across the sciences and arts. In this talk, I will explore some of the intriguing properties of fractals by taking a meandering walk through the research disciplines I have worked in. These will include nano-electronic circuits, Antarctic ice-shelves, brain structure and artworks. I hope to show a common theme - that quantification of their underlying fractal geometry provides an enhanced understanding well beyond the traditional qualitative views of these diverse systems. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, May 15, 2009 11:07AM - 11:43AM |
A1.00007: Building an organization that can build a quantum computer Invited Speaker: Quantum computation is based on a very compelling idea: that physics, and physics alone, ultimately determines what can be computed, and how efficiently. Changing the laws of physics relevant for a computing device can open up new possibilities for manipulating information, allowing better algorithms that could transform the way we live. Quantum computation has, up until very recently, been the province of basic research. It is clear that the extreme difficulty and complexity of converting this basic science into useful technology cannot occur within a basic research environment. Here I will describe the conceptual framework behind D-Wave's organization and technology development model, and compare and contrast this approach to other possible models. [Preview Abstract] |
Follow Us |
Engage
Become an APS Member |
My APS
Renew Membership |
Information for |
About APSThe American Physical Society (APS) is a non-profit membership organization working to advance the knowledge of physics. |
© 2024 American Physical Society
| All rights reserved | Terms of Use
| Contact Us
Headquarters
1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844
(301) 209-3200
Editorial Office
100 Motor Pkwy, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 591-4000
Office of Public Affairs
529 14th St NW, Suite 1050, Washington, D.C. 20045-2001
(202) 662-8700