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Enjoy Chicago, Eryn!

Congratulations to Eryn Cangi, who was accepted to do research at Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics with Dr. Daniel Abrams. She will be working on applications of mathematical models of synchronicity to problems in orbital dynamics of exoplanet systems and other astrophysical systems.

Congratulations Alex!

Congratulations to Alex Schachtner, who was awarded NSF REU at University of Florida working in Prof. Andrew Rinzler’s group on Investigation of Solution Processed Channel Layer Materials in Carbon-Nanotube Enabled Vertical Field Effect Transistors.

Physics Booth at the 2013 Oregon Country Fair

The Oregon Country Fair (OCF) is a 3-day festival in wooded farmland outside of Eugene that attracts artists, inventors, performers, musicians, artisans, and merchants. It’s sort of a mix between Burning Man, Coachella, Woodstock, and your local coffee shop, but in the shade and with an Oregon twist. There were people there of all ages, all political parties, all all ancestries, all sexual orientations, and all religions (ranging from New Age to Stone Age), from all across the country and world. We met old school hippies, ex-hippies, wannabe hippies, and hippie lovers, as well as Libertarians, farmers, cowboys, preppers, and survivalists. I got the distinct feeling that a lot of hermits in Oregon make this one of their few annual outings. But also lots of families, kids, and students. The one uniting quality amongst all these people was that they were generally all creative types. Suffice it say that this festival of creativity presents a golden opportunity to discuss physics and its relevance to these folks’ interests.

The UO Department of Physics booth resides in the OCF Energy Park. By entering the park, visitors have self-selected themselves as interested in alternative energies. Visitors to our booth could learn about the physical concepts at play in various energy conversion technologies.

Finishing up for the evening, wearing a solar-powered bandana, and my Country Fair camouflage.
Finishing up for the evening, wearing a solar-powered bandana, and my Country Fair camouflage.

McMorran Lab, Open for Business!

The group now has its own lab space in room 171 of Willamette Hall. Most of the group’s research has been and will continue to be performed using the excellent instrumentation in CAMCOR, the group’s lab can be used to for experiments requiring dedicated instruments.


Note the tool chest – it’s still largely empty. We have the beginnings of a good set of tools required for assembling the lab, but for experiments we’ll need to add steadily to it as the need arises.
Note the tool chest – it’s still largely empty. We have the beginnings of a good set of tools required for assembling the lab, but for experiments we’ll need to add steadily to it as the need arises.

This room will house the microscope’s chiller and rough pump (note the pass-through for hoses near the floor). It will also be used for equipment storage, and electrical assembly.
This room will house the microscope’s chiller and rough pump (note the pass-through for hoses near the floor). It will also be used for equipment storage, and electrical assembly.
This room will house the TEM. Low vibrations, low magnetic fluctuations, low acoustical noise (1-600 Hz). Power will be connected to the breakout box, which can be shut off both at the wall and at the electrical panel. Vacuum, cooling water, and compressed air hoses will go through the pass-through near the floor to 171A. The fluorescent lights are dimmable, for those times when we’re looking for a dim beam but still need to see the instrument panel.
This room will house the TEM. Low vibrations, low magnetic fluctuations, low acoustical noise (1-600 Hz). Power will be connected to the breakout box, which can be shut off both at the wall and at the electrical panel. Vacuum, cooling water, and compressed air hoses will go through the pass-through near the floor to 171A. The fluorescent lights are dimmable, for those times when we’re looking for a dim beam but still need to see the instrument panel.

We left some of the counter space so that we have room for little projects. Blackout blinds have been installed on the two main windows, for times when we need exceptional temperature stability. Room 171C, our “clean-ish” room is on the right side of the photo. All air entering the lab goes through a HEPA filter, and the room will have sticky mats at the entrance. Hair nets may become a requirement, if I feel ornery.
We left some of the counter space so that we have room for little projects. Blackout blinds have been installed on the two main windows, for times when we need exceptional temperature stability. Room 171C, our “clean-ish” room is on the right side of the photo. All air entering the lab goes through a HEPA filter, and the room will have sticky mats at the entrance. Hair nets may become a requirement, if I feel ornery.