News

2020

PSD in the News - June 2020

June 26, 2020

PSD in white against a maroon background

This month PSD researchers have been featured for their efforts to find evidence of the elusive Axion Particle, develop UV light disinfection arrays for N95 masks, and identify that a mysterious interstellar visitor was a dark hydrogen iceberg.


NASA’s TESS, Spitzer missions discover a world orbiting a unique young star near us

June 25, 2020

NASA’s TESS, Spitzer missions discover a world orbiting a unique young star near us


Jesus Alvarez, Clare Keenan, and Aaron Slipper awarded teaching prizes

June 24, 2020

Spring 2020 Graduate Student Teaching Awards with images of Jesus Alvarez, Clare Keenan, and Aaron Slipper, against a maroon background

Three PSD students have been awarded the Physical Sciences Teaching Prize for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Awardees include Jesus Alvarez and Clare Keenan of the Department of Chemistry and Aaron Slipper of the Department of Mathematics.


PSD Spotlight: Carla Strickland

June 24, 2020

Carla Strickland

PSD's July spotlight is Carla Strickland, UChicago STEM Education Digital Curriculum Developer. Carla has been with UChicago for almost twelve years.


A black hole’s lunch provides a treat for astronomers — Assoc. Prof. Holz on a newly discovered astronomical object

June 24, 2020

Black hole in space illustration

A black hole's lunch provides a treat for astronomers — Assoc. Prof. Daniel Holz explains the significance of a newly discovered (and indeterminate) astronomical object


Researchers develop a faster, better way to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

June 22, 2020

Six N95 masks in a row

UChicago researchers led by Prof. Peter Eng develop a faster, better way to disinfect N95 masks for reuse


New analysis shows promise of quantum technologies based on silicon carbide

June 22, 2020

Artistic representation of silicon carbide for quantum computing

Prof. Awschalom says new CQE analysis shows promise of quantum technologies based on silicon carbide


Dean Olinto shares lasting lessons from her dad in the New York Times

June 20, 2020

Dean Angela Olinto at the beach with her father in Brazil

Dean Angela Olinto shares lasting lessons from her dad in the New York Times


Astronomer Wendy Freedman encourages girls to reach for the stars

June 19, 2020

Film still of Wendy Freedman astronomer

Astronomer Wendy Freedman encourages girls to reach for the stars on StartTV


Equity, diversity, and inclusion learning materials

June 18, 2020

Juneteenth Day of Freedom, Day of Reflection, June 19 in yellow on a crimson red background

We invite all PSD members to educate themselves on the importance of understanding different voices and points of view. We have compiled a list of suggested readings and films that address topics of race, identity, and equity.


Chemist Sarah King honored with Beckman Foundation’s Young Investigator Award

June 18, 2020

Sarah King

Chemist Sarah King honored with Beckman Foundation’s Young Investigator Award


XENON1T dark matter detector picks up unexplained new signal

June 18, 2020

XENON1T dark matter detector

XENON1T dark matter detector picks up unexplained new signal


Jared Siegel has been awarded a Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award

June 17, 2020

Jared Siegel

Jared Siegel has been awarded a Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award medal for his poster on supernova remnant W49B at the recently concluded 236th AAS meeting.


University of Chicago STAGE lab docuseries takes viewers into the lives and labs of scientists

June 16, 2020

Nathan Earnest-Noble filming Curiosity with film crew in the foreground

Curiosity: The Making of a Scientist offers an online sneak peek of its pilot episode online June 25 at noon and 8 p.m.


Oumuamua: Neither Comet nor Asteroid, but a Cosmic Iceberg

June 16, 2020

hydrogen ice space object against black sky

UChicago Fellow Darryl Seligman finds that an unusual space object first discovered in 2017 is made of hydrogen ice