Physics and Astronomy

HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS: Valedictorian 1992; Salutatorian 1994; Tri-Valedictorian 1997; Valedictorian 2001. Goldwater Scholar 1997-2000. Over 60 undergraduate majors, more than twice the average for a university our size. 100% of Engineering Physics graduates since 1993 have passed the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) Exam, the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Twenty current students qualified […]

Student Focus: Home is where the radon is – Michael Tripp (2003 Honors Graduate)

The Department held a Reception for Graduates, Families and Friends on Saturday, May 17th, at 12:30 p.m. in 114 Bennett Hall. Graduating Students Undergraduates: Robert Bovill, B.S. in Physics Shea Brown, B.A. in Physics Crystal Carr, B.S. in Engineering Physics James Cohen, B.A. in Physics Tyson Machado, B.S. in Engineering Physics Joel Ngue Mba, B.S. […]

Inductees: Dr. John Thompson, Assistant Professor in Physics Dr. Michael Wittmann, Assistant Professor in Physics Charles Wallace, EPS 1965 (Physics Department Alumnus) Ceara McNally, EPS 2003 (Physics Department Graduating Senior)

Sensors for chemical and biological agent detection – Dr. Robert Lad (Physics Professor), Director, Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology (LASST).

Dr. John Thompson, assistant professor of physics and cooperating assistant professor of education, was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Sc.M. and Ph.D in Physics from Brown University, specializing in surface science. He then became a postdoctoral research associate in Professor Lillian McDermott’s physics education research group at the […]

(Physics and Astronomy faculty names are in bold. UMaine students or former students are underlined. Listing includes publications through 5/02). “Towards a Chemically Driven Electron Pump” R.D. Astumian and I Derenyl, Phys. Rev. Lett., 86, 3859-3862, (2001). “Making Molecules into Motors” R.D. Astumian, Scientific American, July (2001). “The Power Spectrum of Rich Clusters on NEar-Gigaparsec […]

Some of the new projects funded during the past year are: “Multifunctional SiAION Ceramic Coatings for High Temperature Aerospace Applications” [Lad, AFOSR]; “Nanomechanics Studies of Coatings” [Unertl, Paper Surface Science]; “A Model Program to Enhance Mathematics and Science Education” [McKay, Kaback, and Wittmann, U.S. Dept. of Education]; “Effects of Weak Electric Fields on Cells” [Astumian, […]

Building Projects completed: The Department completed, in collaboration with Facilities Management, a major renovation of its basement research laboratory wing. This project was supported by the Vice President for Research’s Office. It has created three new laboratories and provides a cluster of space for biosensor and biophysics research for Dean Astumian, Paul Millard, and Karl […]

Some outstanding student accomplishments and awards during the year include: Joel Ngue Mba, a senior in Engineering Physics, was awarded the Hovey Award by the College of Engineering. Travis Gould, a senior in Physics, was the Department’s selection to present his research at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Research Conference. Vincente Guiseppe, a […]