| DF Newsletter #1View Online
In
order to keep the community of the Department of Physics (DF) informed, a newsletter
will be sent at the end of each term, highlighting the most relevant events of
interest to our lecturers, researchers and students. We invite the entire DF
community to contribute to the dissemination of the best that is done in our
department. We take this opportunity to wish everyone a good evaluation season,
followed by well-deserved holidays. The DF executive committee | | |
| Physics@Coffee
The Physics@Coffee initiative
was launched to promote the
DF research, give visibility to its researchers, and facilitate contact with LEFT/MEFT students.
Regular meetings happen every Thursday at 5 pm in the DF seminar room (during
school weeks), where students and researchers discuss Physics topics. So far,
the subjects explored in Physics@Coffee have been:
- May 4: Fluidics (Condensed Matter Physics and
Nanotechnologies)
- May 11: Black Holes (Astrophysics and Gravitation)
- May 18: The Higgs boson (Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics)
- May 25: Burning Fusion Plasmas (Plasma Physics, Lasers and
Nuclear Fusion)
- June 1: Quantum Matter (Condensed Matter Physics and
Nanotechnologies)
- June 15: The Cosmos (Astrophysics and Gravitation)
To suggest topics for future Physics@Coffee, and/or requests for dissemination of events/news on the DF page/social networks please contact: - Professor David Hilditch (Astrophysics and Gravitation)
- Professor João
Figueirinhas (Condensed Matter Physics and Nanotechnologies)
- Professor Pedro Abreu (Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics)
- Professor Gonçalo Figueira (Plasma Physics, Lasers and Nuclear Fusion)
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| New Faculty Members at DF
Ivo Varzielas Marco Piccardo Frederico Fiúza
Ivo Varzielas received his
PhD in Oxford (2003-2007), and was subsequently a postdoc at CFTP-IST, in
Dortmund and Basel. He also held a Marie Curie fellowship as a researcher at Southampton (UK) and was
an FCT researcher at CFTP (IST-DF). He is now an Assistant Professor at DF and
researcher at CFTP in the area of Theoretical Particle Physics, with emphasis
on Physics topics beyond the Standard Model.
Marco Piccardo received his
PhD at École Polytechnique and was subsequently a postdoctoral researcher at
Harvard University and a researcher/team leader at Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia. His research interests focus on various topics related to optics
and nanophotonics. He is now an Assistant Professor at DF and a researcher at
INESC-MN.
Frederico Fiúza did his PhD in Plasma
Physics at IST in 2012, after which he was a postdoctoral researcher at
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2012, and theoretical group leader in
the High Energy Density Science division at SLAC National Accelerator
Laboratory from 2015 to 2023. He is now a Full Professor in our Physics
Department and a researcher at IPFN. His research interests include various
topics in plasma physics.
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| New DF laboratories
A Working Committee for the
Analysis and Implementation of Experimental Physics Teaching Laboratories
(COM-FEx) has been created. The commission is coordinated by Prof. João
Mendanha Dias and it counts with the participation of several faculty members,
including all those responsible for the LEFT Experimental Physics classes, the LEFT Coordinators,
and the student Bruna Lima.
The spaces for the new
laboratories have already been agreed upon and are now in the project phase. Floor
0 of the Mathematics Building, currently used as a cafeteria, will be
transformed into an ample laboratory space for LEFT's 1st cycle experimental
physics, among others, as shown in the picture:
On Floor -1 of the same
building, a project laboratory will be dedicated for the Pre-Major and 2nd
Cycle Curricular Units. On Floor -2, technical support space for developing
experiments, maintenance, and storage will be available.
The implementation of these
new laboratories will provide a suitable and modern space to strengthen
teaching and experimental practice at Técnico, offering students an adequate
environment and professional equipment.
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Teaching support at DF
Documentation is being finalized, with the
collaboration of the Advisor for the integration of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd study
cycles of the Executive Committee, to provide a framework for the teaching
service provided at DF by specially-hired personnel. These documents, which reflect concerns expressed by
students who have already provided teaching service, as well as compliance with
the legal requirements for such service, are intended to serve as a guide for
the implementation of good pedagogical practices, both by the students and by the
lecturers responsible for the Curricular Units that receive them in their teams. This teaching support
documentation should be regarded as both a aid for the implementation of
MEPP and as an opportunity for our students to have a rewarding pedagogical
experience. It is estimated
that in each term of the upcoming academic year, on average, 18 students with
2.3 hours of weekly teaching will be performing teaching support roles. The documentation
will soon be made available to the DF members. For more information about the
teaching support provided by specially hired staff, please contact Professor
Filipe Mendes (Vice-presidente do DF para a distribuição do serviço docente).
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| DF Social Networks
The DF is planning to strengthen its presence on social networks, beyond the already existing Facebook page Physics@Técnico, which we invite the whole DF community to follow. | | |
| IST Distinguished Lecture
The IST Distinguished Lecture on Monday 9th of October will be presented by Professor Francis Halzen, Vilas Research Professor and Gregory Breit Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with the title "Opening a New Window on the Universe from the South Pole". Professor Halzen is one of the most prestigious physicists in Particle and Astroparticle Physics, and he has been the driving force behind the AMANDA and ICECUBE experiments at the South Pole, which opened a new observation window to the Universe with the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. The international recognition of Professor Francis Halzen is extensive and reflected in the many awards and Honorary Doctorates he has received. This colloquium is co-hosted by LIP (Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas), the DF and its scientific area of Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics. | | |
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Events
DF participated in the following events:
- Master's Day (May 18) had the participation of Prof. Luís Melo
(MEFT coordinator) and MEFT student Rafael Almeida to talk informally with
visitors about curricular paths and professional opportunities, clarifying
doubts and sharing experiences.
- Técnico Open Day (May 19 and 20). The DF labs opened
their doors to receive visits from school groups, as well as individual
visitors and families. Some of the
research centres associated to the DF also marked their presence in the central
tent, showing outreach activities.
- School visits. During the first semester of the year,
the DF laboratories received visits from several schools interested in
understanding the DF research and scientific activity.
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DF Calendar (Upcoming Events)- June 21, 11:30 am, PA2 amphitheater, DF plenary meeting to endorse
the distribution of teaching service for the next academic year.
- June 21, 1:00 pm, room P12, convivial lunch for DF
members (mandatory registration).
- June 21-June 28, email voting for the endorsement of the
teaching service.
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