September 23, 2020
This summer the Physical Sciences Division announced several institutional advancements, like the Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation, major NSF support for materials science research, and exciting developments with CMB collaborations. Read the full list of articles for July, August, and September.
Voices
July
- Prof. David Awschalom comments on why building a “quantum repeater” is key to long-distance quantum communication.
- Asst. Prof. Bill Fefferman comments on new “quantum advantage” research.
- Biggest ever map of the universe reveals 11 billion years of history.
- Dan Hooper comments in “an alternative to dark matter passes critical test.”
August
- Prof. Dan Hooper comments on a breakthrough some cosmologists thought would never come.
- Prof. Nick Feamster shares what you can do for the best internet connection.
- Postdoctoral fellow Darryl Seligman comments on 'Oumuamua’ — Aliens? Or a chunk of solid hydrogen? Which idea makes less sense?
- Prof. Daniel Holz comments in “How we lost and found a massive supernova.”
September
- Prof. Howard Masur comments on a report that mathematicians have made a new discovery about the dodecahedron.
- Prof. Dan Holz is part of a six-way bet about a black hole so big it ‘should not exist.’
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See also Popular Mechanics
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- Postdoc Stephanie Olson comments, How we’ll find life in the universe: Is there life out there? Researchers are pursuing three paths to find out
- Is there life on Venus? WGN news interviews astrochemist Jennifer Bergner.
- How apocalypses paved the way for humans (and terror birds). Professor David Jablonski discusses mass extinction with National Geographic.
Research
July
- Quantum engineering breakthroughs could offer new direction for communication tech.
- Chicago Quantum Exchange announces seven new partnerships to advance research, training.
- New view of nature’s oldest light adds fresh twist to debate over universe’s age.
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See also Science News, Nature, USA Today
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- UChicago study illuminates fates of distant planetary atmospheres.
August
- SAND Lab’s Fawkes lets you post selfies without worrying that the next Clearview AI will use them to identify you.
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See also University of Chicago Central News, The Verge
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- UChicago scientists discover way to make quantum states last 10,000 times longer.
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See also Science Magazine
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September
- A laser cutter could create new wave of bioelectronics.
- LIGO/Virgo has spotted a collision of dark giants that sheds light on an invisible process of cosmic growth.
- Climate change will ultimately cost humanity $100,000 per ton of carbon, scientists estimate.
- Event Horizon Telescope, including UChicago-led South Pole Telescope, reveals turbulent evolution.
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UChicago chemists invent way to customize compounds just a few atoms thick.
Education and Community
July
- UChicago announces plans to resume on-campus classes and operations.
- Prof. Ka Yee C. Lee among 13 faculty receiving named, distinguished service professorships.
- Linda Young, a leader in x-ray sciences, pursues innovation, both in research and mentorship.
- NSF awards $15.5 million to launch math institute at UChicago.
- University of Chicago to award six honorary degrees at 2021 Convocation.
- UChicago scientists reflect on need to address racism, inequality.
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center receives renewed NSF funding.
- How computer science can help fight COVID-19 and the three UChicago research groups that were awarded seed funding to apply AI to the response.
- UChicago to partner in $25 million National Science Foundation quantum information institute.
- 2020 Marlene F. Richman Award Winner: Julie Feder.
August
- UChicago physicist leaves mark on X-ray sciences as leader, mentor.
- UChicago scientists share knowledge, research with the public—now with a virtual beer.
- Department of Energy selects Argonne, Fermilab to lead two multi-million-dollar national quantum research centers.
- Prof. Fred Chong Named to National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
September
- UChicago joins three universities in Institute for Foundational Data Science.
- UChicago Physics joins APS-IDEA network for community transformation.
- Conference highlights graduate research opportunities for women in mathematical sciences.
- 93-institution coalition to use telescopes at the South Pole and Chile.
- Prof. Robert Rosner elected Vice President of the American Physical Society, will become President in 2023.
- NSF grant accelerates development for one of the world’s most powerful telescopes—the UChicago-affiliated Giant Magellan Telescope.
- Race in Chicago: COVID-19 exposes the digital divide, with Prof. Nick Feamster.
- Five UChicago CS students named 2021 class of Seibel Scholars
In Memoriam
R. Stephen Berry, ‘one of the most influential chemists of his generation,’ 1931-2020.