Events

This week's Physics Colloquium has been cancelled.

Superconductors Investigated by High-Energy Particle Irradiation
Dr. Kyuil Cho, Assistant Professor
Department of Physics, Hope College

Superconductor is a material that shows zero resistivity and Meissner effect below its critical temperature. This material has been used for various applications such as superconducting wires, medical device MRI, superconducting magnets for particle accelerators, quantum computing circuits, and many more. The superconductivity research group at Hope College conducts unique research on novel superconductors by using high energy particles. High energy particle irradiation is a useful method to generate homogeneous artificial defects on superconductors. By investigating how the defects affect the properties of superconductors, one can uncover the fundamental mechanism of superconductivity.

Titin-based Molecular Underpinnings of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Function
Jorge Alegre-Cebollada, PhD
Associate Professor & Group Leader, CNIC (Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research)

Titin is the largest protein in the human body. The function of the protein is not any smaller: it is critical for the contractile activity of muscles in the skeletal system and in the heart. In my presentation, I will introduce fundamental concepts that link titin nanomechanics with the macroscopic mechanical function of muscle. I will focus on our recent data demonstrating dysregulation of titin nanomechanics that can contribute to increased risk of heart failure in diabetic patients.

How to Give a Talk
Dr. Jean Creighton
Director of the UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium

Giving an engaging talk takes more than just knowing your material.

In this talk, I’ll outline key steps for preparing and delivering a compelling presentation for a variety of audiences. We’ll explore how to understand your listeners, define the purpose of your talk, clarify your message with visuals and explanations, rehearse effectively, engage your audience, and market your talk to generate interest. These strategies will help make your presentation more impactful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Light-driven Molecular Transformations Captured by Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Dr. Chavdar Slavov, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
University of South Florida

Femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy reveals the excited-state pathways and chromophore dynamics that transform light absorption into photochemical and biological function. Using phytochromes, I will illustrate how the protein environment controls chromophore isomerization, which in turn initiates structural changes that regulate biological signaling.

Altermagnets: A New Technologically Relevant Class of Quantum Magnets
Daniel Agterberg
Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Magnetism underpins much of our current information technology. It also derives purely from quantum mechanics. Traditionally, discussion emphasizes two classes of magnets: usual ferromagnets, which underly data storage devices, and antiferromagnets, in which magnetic moments adopt an up-down structural motif. Recently, a new class of magnets, altermagnets, has generated tremendous interest. This class mixes properties of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets in a way that is promising for future applications.

From Extreme Binary Stars to Self-Driving Cars
Dr. Tony Rodriguez
Data Scientist, Waymo LLC (formerly Harvard CfA)

Compact objects -- white dwarfs (WDs), neutron stars, and black holes -- are laboratories for studying extreme physics under conditions unable to be replicated on Earth. When located in binaries, it becomes possible to measure properties of compact objects such as magnetic field strength, temperature, and the effects of mass transfer from a companion. In this talk, I will describe recent advancements in our understanding of WD magnetism.