News: Research

2020

ECHO game brings students together—and keeps them safe

November 20, 2020

Woman scientist in wig

This Autumn Quarter an alternate reality game created by an interdisciplinary group of UChicago researchers gathered 70 teams of students—and helped keep them safe. Culminating in an Oct. 30 livestream, the ECHO game brought together students and other members of the UChicago community through weeks of collaborative play


Astronomy and physics students featured in new UChicagoGRAD podcast

November 20, 2020

Three portraits of astronomy and physics students, plus the PSD logo

New ‘Expand Your Perspective’ podcast features PSD grad students studying space and the universe: ranging from exoplanets to galaxies to black holes. With Nora Bailey (Astronomy & Astrophysics), Gourav Khullar (Astronomy & Astrophysics), and Gautam Satishchandran (Physics)


PSD in the News - November 2020

November 19, 2020

PSD in white against a maroon background

This month PSD researchers have been featured for their efforts to turn an IBM computer into a quantum material, unlock why supersymmetry can solve problems in the Standard Model, and tune materials to launch a new computing paradigm inspired by the energy-efficiency of the brain.


New computer science Asst. Prof. Robert Rand writes the language for tomorrow’s quantum computers

November 19, 2020

Robert Rand, Computer Science Assistant Professor

New computer science Assistant Professor Robert Rand builds interfaces for revolutionary quantum machines


Meteorite hunters Assoc. Prof. Phillipp Heck and postdoctoral researcher Jennika Greer featured on CNN

November 19, 2020

Still from a CNN report about meteor landing on Michigan, shows meteor falling above cars on a highway

Meteorite hunters Assoc. Prof. Phillipp Heck and postdoctoral researcher Jennika Greer featured on CNN


Scientists in the Galli Group uncover secrets to designing brain-like devices

November 19, 2020

Scientists in the Galli Group uncover secrets to designing brain-like devices


In new step toward quantum tech, scientists synthesize ‘bright’ quantum bits

November 17, 2020

In new step toward quantum tech, scientists synthesize ‘bright’ quantum bits


A search for supersymmetric particles in the ATLAS detector at CERN

November 17, 2020

UChicago researcher Lesya Horyn inside of the ATLAS detector.

Supersymmetry is a proposed theory to expand the Standard Model of particle physics. Akin to the periodic table of elements, the Standard Model is the best description we have for subatomic particles in nature and the forces acting on them. But physicists know this model is incomplete—it doesn’t make room for gravity or dark matter, for example. Supersymmetry aims to complete the picture by pairing each Standard Model particle with a supersymmetric partner, opening up a new class of hypothetical particles to detect and discover. In a new study, UChicago physicists have uncovered limitations for what properties these superpartners, if they exist, could have.
 


Globus celebrates 10 years of connecting the research universe

November 16, 2020

100 billion files later, Globus celebrates ten years of connecting the research universe


Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at UChicago event about impact of quantum research

November 16, 2020

Prof. Juan de Pablo on the left, Gov. JB Pritzker on the right, in a Zoom conversation as part of the Chicago Quantum Exchange Summit.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at UChicago event about impact of quantum research


Carl-Gustaf Rossby, first director of UChicago Institute of Meteorology, changed weather research from a descriptive to a predictive science

November 13, 2020

Historic photo of two men releasing an early radiosonde—a balloon-borne instrument for taking atmospheric measurements

Carl-Gustaf Rossby, first director of UChicago Institute of Meteorology, changed weather research from a descriptive to a predictive science


Chicago Quantum Exchange welcomes six new partners, including company founded by UChicago CS Alum

November 13, 2020

A Hamamatsu Photonics scientist tests optical equipment in the company’s Central Research laboratory.

The Chicago Quantum Exchange, a growing intellectual hub for the research and development of quantum technology, has added to its community six new partners in technology, finance, manufacturing, and consulting that are working to bring about and primed to take advantage of the coming quantum revolution. New corporate partners are Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), Hamamatsu Photonics, Protiviti, Quantum Machines, and Super.tech, a company founded by a recent UChicago CS graduate, Pranav Gokhale.


Meteorologist Tetsuya Theodore Fujita (1920–1998) led a tempestuous career

November 12, 2020

Singing for the pine trees are stormy winds. Meteorologist Tetsuya Theodore Fujita (1920–1998) led a tempestuous career


Computer Science HandMorph Project uses tech to simulate children’s experience

November 4, 2020

wearable exoskeleton on a hand holding an orange demonstrating a new wearable tech device simulating a child's grasp

A new grasp on empathy: Computer Science HandMorph Project uses tech to simulate children’s experience.


PSD in the News - October 2020

October 28, 2020

Physical Sciences data map logo

This month PSD researchers have been featured for their efforts to discover how a small molecule is the key to HIV forming capsules, adapt laboratory research during COVID-19, and design nanotechnology that provides hope for a personalized vaccination for treating cancer.