Author: Amee

Maham’s feature on NASA Datanauts

From the openNASA website (https://open.nasa.gov/explore/datanauts/):

“Reach higher and explore deeper. Whether you’re a software engineer or coding newbie, join our NASA Datanaut community to engage with each other and subject matter experts to solve data challenges. It really IS Rocket [Data] Science.”

The work of LOFT group member Maham Aftab, from the 2016 Datanauts class, was featured on the NASA Datanauts website:

https://open.nasa.gov/blog/datanaut-experience-9-nasadatanauts-share-why-you-should-apply/

 

Spires on Optical Fabrication

spire_moveon technologies

This week we sit down with Oliver Spires to discuss optical fabrication. This is a topic often taken for-granted by optical scientists, as optical fabrication is the conversion of a theoretical component to a real and usable piece. Spires discusses techniques and methodologies such as diamond turning and mold pressed optics. Additionally, some of the difficulties and limitations of these methods are covered.

Nerenberg on Bose-Einstein Condensates and Creativity in the Sciences

BEC_DrZachNewman_Defense (Dr. Zach Newman, Dissertation)

This week we sit down with Samuel Nerenberg, a doctoral student whose work focuses on Bose-Einstein Condensates as well as other quantum optic phenomenon. Sam discusses what defines a BEC, the difficulties involved with creating such a state of matter, and what his group is studying in their behavior. Additionally, we discuss the idea of creativity in fields traditionally considered bereft of human expression, namely mathematics and physics. Tune in for a great discussion and we look forward to hearing your feedback as always!

Resources mentioned in this weeks episode:

https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.59.2631

Dr. Cooper-Sood on using Ketamine for Pain Management in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Normal red blood cell and sickle cell. SCIEPRO/Science Photo/Library/Getty Images

Normal red blood cell and sickle cell. SCIEPRO/Science Photo/Library/Getty Images

This week we were extremely fortunate to be able to sit down with Dr. Cooper-Sood, who is researching novel pain management methods in patients who suffer from sickle cell anemia. These patients suffer extreme, chronic life long pain. We learn about the current pain management protocol, which traditionally relies heavily on large opiate dosages, and how ketamine, a disassociate drug that is more commonly known as an animal tranquilizer, may provide an alternative pain management technique. Additionally, Dr. Cooper-Sood discusses some of the unique challenges human based studies carry, and what the future may hold for pain management in such cases. We hope you enjoy and as always we encourage our listeners to comment or email us!

Summitt on Optical Chip Interconnects

summitt

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Chris Summitt to talk about a new fabrication process of a polymer out-of-plane optical coupler by gray-scale lithography. Dr. Summitt discusses the motivation for optical ship interconnects, the limitations on fabrication methods, and his novel technique and results. We additionally discuss the fit of graduate school for students as well as learn some of Dr. Summitts secret techniques for maintaining a healthy balance while a student.

As always we look forward to your feedback and comments!

Grant on Heuristic Characterization of Si-Photonic Switches

SiPSwitchChip

This week we sit down with Hannah Grant, whose work focuses on Silicon Photonics. Most recently she has developed and demonstrated a heuristic characterization of Si-Photonic switches. While the technology is extremely impressive, without a way to characterize optical switches limits their viability. We discuss her recent work, the scope and uses of Si-Photonics, and the need for a characterization of optical switches.

For a more detailed description of Hannah Grant’s most recent work, please see: https://doi.org/10.1364/PS.2017.PTu3C.1

For background on photonics and Si-Photonic please see:

Photonics: Optical Electronics in Modern Communications by By Amnon Yariv and Pochi Yeh

Momsom on SPECT Imaging

momsom

This week we sit down with Neil Momsom, a graduate student whose research focuses on biomedical imaging applications. Neil explains the working concept for a SPECT imaging system. There is discussion covering the system components, theory, noise, and statics. Neil sheds some light on a device we take for granted in medical procedures but which is extremely complex both in the hardware and data processing.

As always, please leave your feedback and comment on todays episode.

Bradley on Spectropolarimetric Imaging Observations

christine

This week we sit down with Dr. Christine Bradley to discuss her doctoral work on spectropolarimetric imaging, which was used to map the polarimetric BRDF of various Earth based zones, an alternative way to thinking about this is a mapping of the reflectance of various common zones on Earth. Dr. Bradley discusses some of the challenges she faced in her work and and outcome of her research. Additionally, we get to hear some excellent tips about getting through research and dissertation writing.

We hope you enjoy this weeks podcast, and as always we encourage our listeners to comment on this weeks episode.

Salsbury on the Unspoken Challenges of Graduate School

salsbury

This week we sit down with Chase Salsbury and have a candid conversation about some of the common challenges graduate students face, particularly ones that are not often spoken of outside of grad students. This is a topic that we think is extremely important to talk about and we hope you enjoy the podcast. As always if you have comments or feedback please let us know!

Maham’s volunteering at San Simon Day School on the Tohono O’odham Reservation

“As part of the AISPIRE (American Indian Student-Parent Involved Research Experience) after school program collaboration with San Simon Day School on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, CIAN (Center for Integrated Access Networks) recently co-hosted a special San Simon Family STEM Night.

On May 2nd, 2017 CIAN, WiO (Women in Optics), SOCk (Student Optics Chapter), and College of Optical Sciences students and staff visited San Simon Day School on the Tohono O’odham Reservation to celebrate the inaugural San Simon STEM Family Night. The event was hugely successful with Tohono O’odham students and parents in attendance. Students presented their science fair projects, a number of which were featured and received awards at SARSEF. University participants presented optical demonstrations including virtual reality glasses, a laser radio transmitter, and much more. There was also a rocket launch demonstration by the students and a tribal dance celebrating the students and parents’ culture.” – CIAN website blog post: https://blog.cian-erc.org

LOFT group member Maham Aftab was responsible for the virtual reality (VR) demonstration. She used Google Cardboard headsets, with two VR apps set up on smartphones – a Moon surface explorer and a roller coaster ride. Students of all ages and their parents were keen to see and experience the VR demo. Maham also showed an ‘opened-up’ model of a basic VR-type headset that uses a cardboard box (housing), simple off-the-shelf lenses and generic adhesive materials. Students took a great interest in learning how the demo worked and the possibilities VR offers.

The headsets were generously lent by the University of Arizona Science & Engineering library and cellphones by fellow LOFT group member Isaac Trumper and Optical Sciences student Amanjot Gill. The VR apps are available for free on the App Store and Google Play.

For a simple DIY tutorial of how to make a VR headset, check out the link:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-vr-headset-out-of-a-pizza-box/

CIAN is looking for volunteers for EASIS (Expect Academic Success in STEM) optical science summer camps at OSC. For more information check:
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/news-events/news/quicknews/cian-call-summer-volunteers
or contact  Ameé Hennig at amee@optics.arizona.edu

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