Feb 16, 2005 -- From a supercomputing cluster center and a semester-long series of seminars, to a new course in robotics, the physics department is kicking-off 2005 with a host of initiatives and offerings. The fastest and most powerful computer, the supercomputer is composed of 24 networked machines. Delivered Feb. 8, the supercomputer is being assembled by Sergei Buldyrev, PhD, professor of physics, with some students, and will eventually be housed in the sub-basement of Belfer Hall. Professor Buldyrev, who specializes in computational physics, is teaching “Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences” this semester, and both he and students will use the supercomputer for calculations and projects. “Because supercomputers are more accessible than they were 10 years ago, more schools are getting them and using them as teaching tools,” said Gabriel Cwilich, PhD, associate professor of physics. “And once it is completely set up and fully operational, we will explore the option of allowing other departments to use it.” Starting Feb. 9, the physics department is hosting eight physicists from around the country to speak to students at the Wilf Campus. Attendance is required for all intermediate and advanced students, and each colloquium is broadcast via video to Stern College for Women at the Beren Campus. The idea of colloquia, said Cwilich, is to “expose students to ideas – not for them to understand everything. You need to invite physicists to come in order to create a permanent exchange of ideas, and hearing ideas is how you learn.” Joseph Stampfli, PhD, adjunct professor of math, is teaching a course in robotics this semester – the first one to be offered – and Neer Asherie, PhD, assistant professor of physics, has begun building an experimental lab in the optical characterization of proteins, also with the help of students. In addition, several students conducted research with faculty last summer and are continuing their work during the academic year. For the first time across both campuses, Fredy Zypman, PhD, professor of physics at Yeshiva College, and Anatoly Frenkel, PhD, associate professor of physics at Stern College for Women, are jointly supervising research being conducted by Stern College honors student Dana Glasner, who is trying to understand the enhanced stability of small gold nanoparticles. Ms. Glasner and other members of Stern’s physics research group co-authored two articles and presented four talks at national science meetings and colloquia in 2004-2005. And to commemorate The World Year of Physics 2005, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s “miraculous year,” the department is putting together an exhibit that will showcase Albert Einstein’s involvement with YU next fall at the Gottesman Library on the Wilf Campus. Spring Semester Physics Colloquia All seminars take place at 12:15 pm on the Wilf Campus, Furst Hall Room 201, unless otherwise noted Feb. 16: “Entropy Applications to Physics and Health Science” by Miron Kaufman, Cleveland State University Feb. 22: “Limits to Growth: The Colonization of the Milky Way” by Thomas Bania, Institute for Astrophysical Research, Boston University Location: Belfer Hall Room 502 Time: 8 pm March 2: “Local Lattice Distortions in Transition Metal Oxides” by Victor Kraysman, Rostov State University (Russia) March 16: “Application of Molecular Dynamics to Molecular Biology” by Nikolay Dokholyan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill March 30: “The Molecular Basis for Protein Condensation Diseases: With Application to Cataract and Alzheimer’s Disease” by George Benedek, Massachusetts Institute of Technology April 13: “Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetization in Molecular Nanomagnets” by Myriam P. Sarachik, City College of the City University of New York May 4: “From Grains to the World Wide Web: The Physics of Energy Landscapes and Complex Networks” by Hernan Makse, City College of the City University of New York.