Smoke particles provide “seeds” that increase cooling by helping form clouds, and as a result, “The seeding effect is winning,” over the warming effect of smoke blocking the clouds from reflecting light, explains Zhibo Zhang. Continue Reading UMBC physicists discover unexpected effect of African wildfires on climate
Thomas Smith and Yanhua Shih are hoping their new research will bring about a sea change in the physics community, and encourage even the most traditional physicists that quantum interference applies in optics experiments using non-laser light. “It should change the whole picture,” says Shih. The work has implications for both fundamental physics and immediate applications. Continue Reading UMBC physicists develop cost-saving tech for detecting gravitational waves and other applications
To address such big ideas, “You need the solar system as your laboratory,” says Sander Goossens. NASA’s MESSENGER satellite collected data during its years orbiting Mercury that enabled the research team to answer questions about the Sun’s interior processes and our fundamental understanding of gravity. Continue Reading UMBC space scientist further confirms Einstein’s theory through new solar research
People have pinned their hopes on quantum computers for the next leap forward in computing technology, “but my recent research has revealed that quantum computers will have limits of their own,” writes Sebastian Deffner, “and has suggested ways to figure out what those limits are.” Continue Reading UMBC’s Sebastian Deffner explains how the “quantum speed limit” may put brakes on quantum computers
UMBC celebrated so many milestones in the past year. In thousands of ways, big and small, the UMBC community made their mark on 2017. Here are 12 top highlights. Continue Reading UMBC’s Top 12 Highlights of 2017
The new finding “is attacking the bugaboo of this whole class of possible quantum computers,” says Jason Kestner. And yet, like so much in science, the finding “is something we stumbled across almost by accident,” says Michael Wolfe ’17. Continue Reading UMBC physicists’ finding has potential to springboard quantum computing to major advances
Handling in-flight challenges on the spot showed the students “how the science gets done in real life,” Brian Carroll says. The flight experience met the initiative’s goal to provide experiential learning opportunities to expand students’ perspectives. Continue Reading UMBC students take flight to study weather, pollution in multi-institution initiative
Throughout his career, Philip Graff ’08, mathematics and physics, has conducted research at Cambridge University on a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, developed an algorithm that enabled experiments confirming the existence of gravitational waves, and worked to improve cybersecurity measures for the U.S. armed forces and Department of Homeland Security. This fall, the Maryland Science Center named Graff their 2017 Outstanding Young Scientist – Non-academic Track. At a ceremony held November 15, the center honored two scientists and two engineers, including UMBC’s Lee Blaney, associate professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Researchers younger than 35 in academia and younger than… Continue Reading Philip Graff ’08 named Outstanding Young Scientist by Maryland Science Center
Lee Blaney, associate professor of chemical, biochemical and environmental engineering, was one of two people to receive the 2017 Outstanding Young Engineering Award, and Philip Graff ’08, physics, was awarded one of two 2017 Outstanding Young Scientist Awards. Continue Reading UMBC faculty and alumnus honored by Maryland Science Center
Nine distinguished faculty and alumni shared their stories at GRIT-X, a TED talk-style event during UMBC’s Homecoming that took listeners “from outer space to inner space, from a makerspace to the classroom, from black holes in the universe to a pacemaker for the brain.” Continue Reading GRIT-X talks showcase experiences of outstanding faculty and alumni “from outer space to inner space”
NASA has served as “a role model and inspirational force,” that has led people to reach for the stars for generations, shares Dean Bill LaCourse. “The Earth and Space Institute is our opportunity to reach for new heights,” he says. “To take that chance in the name of science, commitment, passion, and basic human curiosity.” Continue Reading UMBC dedicates new Earth and Space Institute, building on decades of NASA collaboration
Belay Demoz enjoys directing JCET because of its dual educational and scientific focus. “I’ve always believed in the goal of JCET to connect scientists and students,” he shares, noting that it’s been especially important to him to increase these opportunities for students from underrepresented groups. Continue Reading Belay Demoz, director of JCET and leading climate scientist, elected as a fellow of the American Meteorological Society
