Month: March 2010

Belated March Meeting Wrap-Up

I did one sketchy update from Portland last Tuesday, but never wrote up my impressions of the rest of the March Meeting– when I got back, I was buried in grading, and then trying to put together Monday’s presentation. And, for reasons that will become apparent, I was unable to write anything up before I… Continue reading Belated March Meeting Wrap-Up

Cooling a “Macroscopic” Object to Its Quantum Ground State

Several people have sent me links to news stories about last week’s Nature paper, “Quantum ground state and single-phonon control of a mechanical resonator.” (It was also presented at the March Meeting, but I didn’t go to that session). This is billed as the first observation of quantum phenomena with a “macroscopic” or “naked eye… Continue reading Cooling a “Macroscopic” Object to Its Quantum Ground State

Research Blogging Awards

The winners of the first Research Blogging Awards were announced today, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this blog was named the “Best Blog — Chemistry, Physics, or Astronomy.” I knew that I was nominated– I was one of the judges, and while I abstained from voting on my own blog, I… Continue reading Research Blogging Awards

What Every Dog Should Know About Quantum Physics

I gave a talk today for a group of local home-school students and parents, on the essential elements of quantum physics. The idea was to give them a sense of what sets quantum mechanics apart from other theories of physics, and why it’s a weird and wonderful thing. The title is, of course, a reference… Continue reading What Every Dog Should Know About Quantum Physics

Thursday Substitute Baby Blogging 031810

Kate here, with some outdoor baby blogging: I’d meant for this to be a comparison photo to this one from August. Unfortunately it’s got neither Chad nor Appa for scale, and she’s slouching, which diminishes the OMG HUGE effect—but not the killer cute. One more outdoor picture and one indoor picture below the fold:

Sketchy March Meeting Notes: Monday

I’m terrible about taking notes on conference talks, especially when I’m jet-lagged and was sleep deprived even before I got on the plane. I do jot down the occasional paper reference, though, so here are the things I wrote down, and the talks they were associated with. This should give you some vague idea of… Continue reading Sketchy March Meeting Notes: Monday

Southwest Airlines and the Traveling Salesman Problem

I’m en route to the March Meeting in Portland, which involves a three-hour layover in Chicago, between two flights on Southwest, my preferred airline. I’m always impressed by how much more efficient Southwest seems that the other major airlines. One weird manifestation of that efficiency is the flight plans that Southwest uses. Where most flights… Continue reading Southwest Airlines and the Traveling Salesman Problem

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Categorized as Math, Travel

Congratulations to Frederick Franke and James Morton

I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m on the local committee that selects nominees for the Watson Fellowship, which is one of the best committees to be on, because you get to interact with some of our best students doing things that they really love. This year, we’re thrilled to have two of our nominees… Continue reading Congratulations to Frederick Franke and James Morton

What Should I Go to at the March Meeting?

Lots of good suggestions as to Portland activities for my trip to the March Meeting next week. There’s a second, related problem that I also need help with: What should I do at the meeting itself? My usual conference is DAMOP, which I’ll be going to in May, so while DAMOP is a participating division,… Continue reading What Should I Go to at the March Meeting?