2001 Physics REU
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
PROJECT LIST

1. Nanotechnology and Molecular Devices
Professor: Alexey Bezryadin

One of the exciting new directions in modern physics consists of studying properties of just a single isolated molecule. Or, in some cases, a single molecule can be used as a device or a template. Probably the most interesting molecule for such research is the so-called carbon nanontube (CN). The CN is a linear molecule, which has a geometry of an empty cylinder. The length of carbon nanotubes is typically a few micrometers and the diameter is very small, only about 1 nanometer. This molecule can be a good conductor of electricity and therefore it can be used as a quantum wire in many applications, especially in nanoelectronics. In this project we will explore a different aspect of carbon nanotubes. The goal of the project is to use single nanotubes as a template for metal deposition. This approach allows one to produce extremely small devices of molecular dimensions that have not been studied before. Due to the small size of such devices we expect that they will show interesting quantum effects.

Qualifications: lab experience

2. ATLAS Tile Calorimeter
Professor: Steve Errede

Students will assist in the of building approximately 200 hadron calorimeter submodules for the ATLAS detector and testing about 3000 photomultiplier tubes for the Tile Calorimeter. More information can be found at
http://web.hep.uiuc.edu/atlas/

Qualifications: computer skills preferred

3. Physics of Electronic Musical Instruments
Professor: Steve Errede

Students will participate in the development of a lab portion of a newly created one-semester course on the physics of electronic musical instruments. The course description may be found at http://webug.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys398/

Qualifications: Electronics and computer skills preferred

4. Physics Education Research
Professor: Gary Gladding

Participants will have the opportunity to study the effectiveness of revisions made to the UIUC introductory physics sequence. The participant will be responsible for studying the relevant literature, analyzing data and creating questions to test conceptual understanding. Of particular interest is our recent development of Interactive Examples, web-based exercises that are designed to promote concept-based problem solving. Participants will participate in the creation of new Interactive Examples for the introductory Electricity & Magnetism course.

Qualifications: Participants must have a good understanding of the concepts and problems in the introductory physics sequence. An interest in physics education is essential. General computing experience (programming, spreadsheets, HTML, ....) will be very helpful.

5. Using Magnetic Tweezers on DNA
Professor: Taekjip Ha

Students will design and build magnetic tweezers to manipulate single DNA molecules. DNA forms a double helix and stores genetic information in its sequence. Unzipping and twisting of DNA are very important to its functions. A DNA molecule will be attached at one end to a glass surface and at the other end to a super-paramagnetic bead. A permanent magnet will be mounted on a rotation and translation stage to apply tension and torque to the DNA. Force on the DNA will be measured by monitoring the Brownian motion of the bead using high-speed video microscopy as a function of number of twists in DNA molecules. This will lead to new insights into the structural changes of DNA induced by linear and torsional tension.

Qualifications: None specified

6. Physics of Baseball
Professor: Alan Nathan

This project will involve experimental studies of ball-bat collision. This includes doing

   · "modal analysis" of the vibrations in the bat excited in the collisions
   ·  experiments to study the "trampoline effect" in aluminum bats
   ·  studies of the dependence of the rebound velocity of the ball on impact location
   ·  studies of the dependence of bat speed on the mass and mass distribution of the bat.

For useful information see http://www.npl.uiuc.edu/~a-nathan/pob/

Qualifications: Some computer literacy helpful, physics courses beyond the introductory level

7. Undergraduate Physics Lab Development
Professor: Mats Selen

We wish to develop/modernize several of the advanced undergraduate laboratory experiments. Among the projects under consideration are:

   · Developing a pulsed NMR experiment.
   · Research and development on sonoluminescence experiment.
   · Developing a modern photon counting in nuclear/particle physics.
   · Developing a linear CCD array readout of the diffraction grating spectrometer and Fresnel diffraction experiments.

Qualifications: Students should enjoy tinkering in the lab, and should not be afraid of working independently. Programming experience preferred.