Mustang Physics: Matt Bellis

In March, I had the pleasure of interviewing Stanford physicist and colleague Matt Bellis [1] for the SMU Mustang Physics Podcast. He spoke with me about his work to “sonify” particle physics data – that is, generate sound and even music from the many forms of information present in particle collisions. His work was selected as the “people’s choice” winner at “Science Hack Day: SF” [2] in Palo Alto, CA, and he recently presented his efforts at Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) [3].

“Mustang Physics” is a podcast that was initiated with support from an SMU President’s Partners Grant. It is your gateway into the lives, studies, and passions of physics students and researchers.

Check out our conversation at http://blog.smu.edu/mustangphysics/.

[1] http://mattbellis.com

[2] http://sf.sciencehackday.com/

[3] https://ccrma.stanford.edu/ and https://ccrma.stanford.edu/events/ccrma-colloquium-matt-bellis-particle-physics-windchime-exercise-in-sonficiation-of-high-ener

Final Exam

Photo by bcJohn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcjohn/)

Tomorrow is the final exam for the students of my class, PHY1308 (General Physics II: Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism). This represents for all of us the close of the academic portion of our semester, as exam week gets fully underway. I wish my students the best, and I look forward to teaching the course again in the Fall!

Interview with Frank Wilczek

Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek

This week, Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek will visit SMU and deliver the Lightner-Sams Lecture [1]. One of the highlights of my week will be a chance to interview Professor Wilczek for the SMU physics podcast, Mustang Physics [2]. I’ll be joined in the interview by SMU undergraduate and physics major Holly Howard. Look for the podcast to appear in May.

[1] http://www.physics.smu.edu/web/mediaout/media/WilczekInformation.pdf

[2] http://blog.smu.edu/mustangphysics/