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Dr. James Sabatier demonstrates his mine-detection system, which uses sound waves and a computer to identify buried land mines. |
A National Science Foundation ranking of the nation’s physics departments by the total research grant funding they received indicates UM’s department outperforms many other prestigious institutions on this measure.
In 2003, the Department of Physics and Astronomy ranked 19th in the country (up from 26th in 2001), higher than Michigan (20), Harvard (24), Princeton (30), Yale (32) and Duke (35).
“It’s good to see that we continue to improve our ranking,” said Tom Marshall, professor and chair of physics. “The ranking is especially gratifying, since the number of faculty in our physics department [12 tenure-track faculty and seven research faculty] is much smaller than the other departments in the top 35 institutions listed.”
Of the $17 million awarded UM annually for physics research, $16 million supports projects at the National Center for Physical Acoustics, where physics professors work with engineers and others to study all aspects of acoustics.
Their expertise in ultrasound, for example, is being applied to studies aimed at developing ways to stop internal bleeding, count and size catfish in commercial ponds, assess sediment content in streams, and prevent soil loss and erosion. Expertise in atmospheric acoustics and aeroacoustics focuses on reducing noise produced by jet engines and on monitoring global compliance with nuclear test ban treaties.
Other projects are geared toward using acoustics to detect hidden land mines, generate power, detect insect pest infestations and modify insect behavior.
NCPA Director Henry Bass, also an F.A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, credits the synergy between NCPA and the physics department for the academic leap forward in physics.
“As a result of the funding, we have assembled physicists from some of the best universities in the world,” Bass said.