Skip to main content Skip to navigation
CAS in the Media Arts and Sciences Media Headlines

New physics, astronomy chair starts Feb. 1

Brian Saam

Brian Saam, an expert in experimental atomic physics, will become professor and chair of the Washington State University Department of Physics and Astronomy on Feb. 1. He has conducted research and taught introductory and advanced courses for 17 years at the University of Utah, where he was associate chair of his department and associate dean of the College of Science.

He succeeds interim chair Sukanta Bose, professor of physics, and former chair Matthew McCluskey, professor of physics, who will return to their teaching and research activities.

“My number one priority as chair will be maintaining the size and academic reach of the department while keeping a strategic eye toward areas where we can grow the breadth of our research,” he said.

Find out more

WSU News

Local scientists don’t know if EPA freeze will hamper their research

The Trump administration’s freeze on Environmental Protection Agency grants and contracts is frustrating local agencies that don’t know what to expect. For scientists at Washington State University’s Vancouver campus, it could mean a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens
Rollwagen-Bollens

Environmental science professor Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens is the head of the aquatic-biology lab. She and other scientists recently applied for a $760,000 grant to study toxic algae blooms. The research could help keep local lakes from being closed because the waters are too poisonous to play in or drink.

The scientists don’t have any idea if the freeze includes that proposal.

“If our proposal doesn’t get funded, it doesn’t mean we have to close up shop and go home, but it is a major resource to support undergrads, our graduate students, to support our technical staff,” Rollwagen-Bollens said.

The grant money pays grad and undergrad students wages for their research work.

» More …

Chemists make major strides in organic semiconductors

Ursula Mazur

Washington State University chemists have created new materials that pave the way for the development of inexpensive solar cells. Their work has been recognized as one of the most influential studies published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry in 2016.

Professors Ursula Mazur and K.W. Hipps, postdoctoral researcher Bhaskar Chilukuri and graduate students Morteza Adinehnia and Bryan Borders grew chain-like arrangements of organic nanostructures in the laboratory and then used mathematical models to determine which arrangements were the best conductors of light and electricity.

Journal editors recognized the WSU study as an important step in the advancement of organic semiconductors that perform on par with metal- and silicon-based electronics. They included the work in a collection of 2016’s most influential research publications, or “Hot Papers.”

Find out more

WSU News

 

Metallic hydrogen finally made in lab at mind-boggling pressure

Jeffrey McMahon

Metallic hydrogen has been created in the lab for the first time, by squeezing a sample of the element to pressures beyond what exists at the centre of the Earth. The creation of a substance first predicted more than 80 years ago could one day lead to superfast computers or souped-up rocket fuel.

“If this experiment is reproducible, it solves experimentally one of the major outstanding problems in all of physics,” says Jeffrey McMahon at Washington State University in Pullman.

Find out more

New Scientist

 

Pullman community brainstorms bus stop enhancements

Local city officials, student engineers, artists and designers are paying attention to Pullman’s bus stops and brainstorming ways to make them a vibrant reflection of the city.

Squeak Meisel
Meisel

“Essentially we want to make a beacon in the community,” said Squeak Meisel, chair of the Fine Arts Department at WSU.

“Pullman transit bus stops are not engaging or attractive,” said Wayne Thompson, Pullman transit manager.

Members of the public attended the meeting with Thompson and WSU students in fine arts, engineering, and design and construction.

Find out more

Moscow-Pullman Daily News