Funds for physics contact across the Atlantic
The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation has awarded a grant of DKK 288,000 (approximately EUR 39,000) to physicist Nikolaj Thomas Zinner, Aarhus University, to set up permanent collaboration with three universities in São Paulo regarding research and education in theoretical physics.
2012.02.09
The project is called ‘Danish-Brazilian Collaboration on Cross-Disciplinary Few-Body Problems in Physics’ and is thus initially concerned with creating cross-disciplinary collaboration between Denmark and Brazil regarding studies of few-body problems.
Aarhus University already has a student exchange agreement with the university in São Paulo. This was initiated a year ago when Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, Aarhus University, visited Brazil accompanied by former Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen.
Few-body problems are not actually as bodily as the expression might imply. It is a physics concept – in both classical and quantum physics. The problems with few-body systems are that equations in classical and quantum physics can be used to precisely describe the interaction and relative movements of two bodies, but these equations are much more complicated if three or four bodies are suddenly involved. Even though scientists are familiar with all the underlying properties and all the forces between each pair of atoms, it is not possible to write down a complete solution – as is the case with only two bodies. Here it is necessary to be guided by physical intuition in order to isolate interesting structures. Fortunately, researchers have recently been able to cool the relevant bodies or particles (e.g. molecules or light atoms) to extremely low temperatures in laboratories around the world, and here they can study the behaviour of few-body systems, so the theory can be determined and expanded.
More information
Nikolaj Thomas Zinner
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Ny Munkegade 120
8000 Aarhus C
+45 8715 5619
zinner@phys.au.dk
Great international recognition of Torben Heick Jensen
2012.05.09 — Professor Torben Heick Jensen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, has achieved great international recognition with his nomination as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). The election to EMBO is in recognition of Professor Jensen’s outstanding research within gene expression.
Royal visit to Aarhus University – two Joachims and 20,000 ants
2012.05.01 — Prins Joachim visited Aarhus University’s Silkeborg department on Friday 27 April. Senior Scientist Joachim Offenberg, Department of Bioscience, explained how weaver ants are used in ecological pest control. Read more (in Danish only).
Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education waved goodbye to mother-in-law’s house
2012.04.27 — Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education Morten Østergaard was faced by facts when he visited Aarhus University for the Festival of Research. The MADALGO basic research centre and the EcoSense research group showed the minister how computer science research addresses this year’s theme – EUROPE’S CHALLENGES.
Your subject portal – all study information concentrated in one place
2012.03.29 — From Wednesday 28 March, you can find all information about teaching, examinations, timetable, course enrolment, student counselling and career guidance, and much more at your subject portal.
Grants for studies or research in the USA
2012.02.28 — The Denmark-America Foundation & the Fulbright Commission offer grants to Danish citizens to undertake study or research programmes at graduate level in the USA. The grants amount to DKK 85,000–100,000.
Lecturers wanted for ‘Science pays a visit’, 24–28 September
2012.02.28 — The Danish Science Week requires skilled lecturers to be part of a team giving talks about science at schools throughout Denmark from 24 to 28 September.
Unique pump in sperm cells makes a difficult journey possible
2012.05.01 — In his PhD work, Michael Jakob Voldsgaard Clausen made a detailed study of a molecular pump that is essential for sperm cells and is not found in other types of cells. The job of a sperm cell is to carry genetic information from a male to a female. In order to carry out this project, the cell has to travel from the testicle to the ovary, where both the pH value and salt concentrations are drastically altered. His results show that this pump is specific to sperm cells and is adapted to be able to maintain stable activity in conditions in which there are changes to the salt concentrations and the membrane potential of the cell. In time, it is possible that his results could be used in developing a birth control pill for men. Michael Clausen defended his dissertation on 23 April 2012. PhD supervisors: Professor Poul Nissen and Postdoctoral Research Associate Hanne Poulsen. Listen to the interview with Michael Clausen on Radio24syv (in Danish) about his results. (The interview starts 45.22 min into the broadcast). More information Michael Jakob Voldsgaard ClausenDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmarkmjc@mb.au.dk
2012.02.15 — Biologists are concerned about climate change impact, and they predict that a range of flora and fauna will disappear from Denmark within a few years. Hear Jens-Christian Svenning talk about climate change research at Aarhus University (in Danish only).
Play computer games and help research
2012.01.22 — Jacob Sherson, postdoctoral scholar at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is developing a computer game where users can ‘play’ their way to answers to the most difficult research problems. On 17 January, he took part in Videnskabens Verden (Science World) on radio P1. Read more and hear the broadcast (in Danish only) here.