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Other Research Initiatives in PhysicsWhile the department has strong programs in atomic, condensed matter, elementary particle, and nuclear physics, research in other exciting fields complements our strong research tradition. These efforts include:
Gravity ResearchDr. Alvin Sanders devotes his research efforts to gravitational physics, most notably Project SEE (Satellite Energy Exchange), which is an international collaboration involving plans for a new satellite to explore the nature of gravity. The SEE mission will determine the gravitational constant, G, test the equivalence principle, and probe for evidences of novel physics and flaws in General Relativity by precisely monitoring the motion of two shielded co-orbiting test bodies. Possible technological spin-offs of this project include ultra-high-resolution temperature measurement and thermal management, as well as implications for materials science and robotics. (Contact: Dr. Alvin Sanders, asanders@utk.edu).Molecular BiophysicsThe Molecular Biophysics group, led by Dr. Solon Georghiou, studies the photophysics of biomolecules. This fast-growing research area is making exciting contributions to the interface of physics and biology.The first area of research emphasis is the study of the dynamic and excited-state properties of DNA. Both steady-state and time-resolved picosecond fluorescence measurements are being made; the latter in collaboration with Dr. J. Beechem of Vanderbilt University. The emerging view of DNA is that of a dynamic, very deformable structure. The implications of the findings are of great importance with regard to the ability of DNA to perform its multifunctional tasks. Other research investigates the nature of the forces responsible for the interaction between adjacent bases in DNA, the modulation of the dynamics of the DNA helix by environmental factors, and photodefect formation in DNA. The second research area is the interaction of melittin, a protein toxin, with model biological membranes. The primary goals are to establish 1) the nature of the forces involved in the protein-membrane interaction and 2) the effects of the protein on the structure and dynamics of membranes. Recent discoveries by this research group include the rigidification of membranes by the protein, the lipid (i.e. membrane component) -selectivity of the protein, and the generation and propagation of protein-induced structural and dynamic membrane perturbations over a long distance. Novel SensorsDr. Tom Ferrell's research program on telesensor integrated circuits combines sensors and radio on a single, unhoused, self-sufficient chip. With collaborators in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the research has produced a first generation of millimeter-sized medical telesensors for measuring and transmitting vital signs. Allied with this effort, the group is using a photon scanning-tunneling microscope to both visualize and make microlithographic structures of potential use in the next generation of chips. Theoretical work includes studies of quantum collective electronic effects of use in novel sensors, including fiber optic sensors, the modeling of microantennas, and the use of nonlinear methods and wavelets in the analysis of data. (Contact Dr. Tom Ferrell at tferrell@utk.edu).Textile ScienceThe University of Tennessee, in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has carried out research for many years on the structure and physical properties of cotton fiber. Dr. Kermit Duckett leads this effort, which has included comparative studies on fibrillar orientation, nature of convolutions and crimp in the raw fiber, and the nature of fiber development from boll to mature fiber across varieties and species of cotton. In cooperation with textile equipment manufacturers, testing procedures and instrument design have been advanced toward the understanding of the physical properties of the cotton fiber.Attention is now being directed toward the use of cotton in nonwoven products, specifically research and development into the formation of nonwovens using blends of cotton with thermally binding fibers (synthetic polymeric fibers). Other research investigates the use of cellulose acetate from the standpoint of producing environmentally compatible and disposable nonwovens products. Research of this type shows promise in producing a truly environmentally safe product for medical nonwovens and for consumer disposable applications. Theoretical PhysicsThe Department of Physics enjoys solid support in theoretical physics in a number of research areas. Steve Shieh is a theoretical physicist whose research focuses on rigid body dynamics. Robert Childers has begun pursuing a new course based on his interests in general relativity. Ted Barnes, who has a joint appontment with UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, provides theory support for a number of research initiatives both at UT and ORNL. He studies neutron scattering and quantum spin systems for the Condensed Matter group at UT. Dr. Barnes also does quark model calculations of hadron properties, like exotic mesons and hadron-hadron forces, for the ORNL Physics Division. He has also worked with UT High Energy Physics group.C.C. Shih analyzes the characteristics of correlations and fluctuations in multiparticle production processes at high energy for hadron-hadron collisions and relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Special Attention is paid to the development of multiparticle phenomenology. He also investigates the response of self sustainable nonlinear dissipative systems in the region where the intrinsic endogenous rhythm of a biophysics system may be perturbed for entrainment. |
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