Sera Cremonini, Lehigh University
Title: Gravity and Holography
Abstract: The recent announcement of the direct detection of gravitational waves provides yet another remarkable confirmation of Einstein’s vision of the universe, in which space and time are interwoven and dynamic.
Despite its stark successes, the theory of general relativity is incomplete, in that it fails to describe regions of space-time with very large curvature, and for which quantum mechanical effects cannot be ignored. These include the interior of black holes and the very early universe.
String theory, our leading candidate for a quantum theory of gravity, offers a concrete framework to probe the microscopic properties of black holes and the short-distance behavior of space-time. In this talk I will discuss the main features of string theory and the ideas of “holography” — a fascinating web of connections between theories of gravity and certain strongly interacting quantum systems. These provide new insights into poorly understood phases of matter and the properties of unconventional materials such as high temperature superconductors.
Michelle Dolinski, Drexel University
Title: Neutrino mysteries
Abstract: Neutrinos are fundamental particles with tiny masses and no electric charge. They surround us, but they rarely interact with us, making them difficult to study in the laboratory. However, this same property also makes them interesting tools for studying the cosmos and the origins of the universe. I will talk about some neutrino mysteries and the kinds of experiments that we are building to solve them.
Suzanne Amador Kane, Haverford College
Title: Biological physics and animal behavior
Abstract: Ironically, until recently it has been easier to track the motion of a cell or single molecule than to determine the trajectory of an entire organism as it moves through its environment. While miniature biologging telemetry devices have proved effective for migration studies, but they only work at very large lengthscales and do not tell us about the animal’s sensory perceptions of its world. In this talk, I explain how my group uses a combination of physical and computational methods to probe the motion and sensory environment of birds during a variety of behaviors, ranging from predatory birds pursuing prey to peacocks performing courtship displays.
Amy Graves, Swarthmore College
Title: Jamming of particles and people
Abstract: Jamming is good in that it keeps salt from pouring out of the shaker all at once, and allows soft robots to grasp a coin or throw a ball. On the other hand, jamming causes problems like preventing grain from flowing smoothly out of a silo, and precipitates disasters in dense crowds at shopping malls and soccer games. We will explain the phenomenon of jamming, and our own work in which fixed obstacles affect when jamming occurs. We will also talk about “self-propelled particles” – including humans – and how a “social force” model allows us to understand how people may move through spaces quickly and safely.
Elizabeth McCormack, Bryn Mawr College
Title: Probing Long-Range Configurations of Diatomic Molecules
Abstract: Very long-range molecular configurations are of interest in a variety of contexts, for example, in the astro-chemistry of cold molecular clouds and in planetary atmospheres, including our own. Such states can be more than 10 times the size of the ground state and often possess energies above multiple ionization potentials and dissociation limits resulting in diverse and complex decay dynamics. Many of these configurations possess a double-well character arising from the interaction of molecular Rydberg states, repulsive doubly-excited states, and ionic states. The ion pair of molecular hydrogen is a particularly rare configuration consisting of one proton shrouded in a cloud of two electrons separated very far from the other proton, and it is notoriously difficult to create and study. I’ll report on results from our investigations of such long-range states using resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The observations put on display the rich quantum mechanical nature of molecules.
Diane Turnshek, Carnegie Mellon University
Title: This Way Up
Abstract: All it takes is an escape velocity of 11 kilometers per second and anything can be lifted from the surface of the Earth. A golf ball. A city. An alien on the handlebars of a bicycle. Likewise, all it takes is a solid education in the sciences, and then — the sky’s not the limit. Varied paths to future science careers will be envisioned, pushing the limits of survey data and our imaginations. A compelling future awaits. Are you ready?
Andrea Lommen, Franklin and Marshall College
Title: Einstein’s Last Legacy: Measuring Wrinkles in Space-time
Abstract: The announcement direct detection of gravitational waves in February was a game-changing event for astronomy. We now find ourselves in the Gravitational Wave Era, learning everything we can about the gravitational wave universe. I detect gravitational waves using an analogous experiment to LIGOs, using pulsars as the detectors of these wrinkles in the fabric of spacetime. My collaboration is called the North American NanoHertz Observatory of Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) and involves faculty and students from all over the United States and Canada and uses the world’s largest radio telescopes. I will tell you about the experiment, how we aim to detect massive black hole binaries, and when we expect to make the first detection.