News
01 OCT 2013
Turning Technologies User Conference
The conference will be hosted by the School of Physics and School of Education.
Venue: Trinity College Dublin
Date: 4th November 2013. Register Now
Further details can be found below:
www.turningtechnologies.com/dublin-agenda
27 SEP 2013
THE SUN @ NIGHT
For Discover Research Dublin on Friday, 27 September TCD scientists will project the Sun direct from the centre of our Solar System and onto the front of the iconic Fitzgerald Building.
Using the very latest available images from NASA, our astrophysics researchers will explain their important work and the long history of astrophysics research in Trinity College.
All are welcome from Sun Down (about 7.30pm) on 27 September in Trinity College Dublin to view the Sun @Night.
29 JUL 2013
Helium-ion microscopy of graphene: from edge definition to controllable modification
A paper on "Nanotechnology", published by Professor Hongzhou Zhangs' Ultramicroscopy Group, has been "publisher picked" by IOP Journals.
In the paper the group investigated both controllable modification and sub-nanometre metrology of nanomaterials using a helium-ion beam, with graphene used as an example. The researchers found that the sub-nanometre He+ probe facilitates controllable defect production with extremely high spatial resolution. They have also established the ion doses required to safely image graphene and clarified the effect of a sample support on the results.
More details can be found below:
- The article: http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/24/33/335702/article
- The front page of the journal: http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484
- The page for promoting the work: http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/lab/54147
- The interview: http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/page/Interview%20with%20Daniel%20Fox
18 JUL 2013
NATURE: World's Slowest-Moving Drop Caught on Camera at Last
Begun in October 1944, the Tar Drop experiment, at Trinity College Dublin's School of Physics, is one of the world's oldest continuously running experiments.
This curiosity of an experiment demonstrates that tar, or pitch, is a material that flows - albeit it with an incredibly high viscosity. Whilst pitch has been dropping from the funnel since 1944, nobody has ever witnessed a drop fall - they happen it happens roughly only once in a decade!
In May of this year, with the latest drop about to fall, Prof. Shane Bergin broadcast the experiment via the web. On July 11th, the drop dripped. You can see a time lapse video of this here.
Tracking the evolution of the drop, Profs. Weaire & and Hutzler, and Mr. David Whyte calculated the viscosity of the pitch to be 2x107 Pa s - approximately 2 million times the viscosity of honey.
Timelapsed video of the Pitch-Tar Drop experiment:
Media Coverage
How long would you be willing to wait for a drop of the black stuff in Dublin?
After 69 years, one of the longest-running laboratory investigations in the world has finally captured the fall of a drop of tar pitch on camera for the first time.
- Richard Johnston, NATURE JOURNAL
NATURE article can be found here.
RTE have a covered the experiment which can be viewed on the RTE Player. The RTE news article can be found here: RTE News Article
CNET article can be found here: CNET News Article
Huffington Post article can be found here: Huffington Post Article
NBC Bay Area article can be found here: NBC Bay Area Article
Business Insider article can be found here: Business Insider
Science blog "Let's Talk about Science!" have written an article about the experience: Let's Talk about Science.
Daily Mail article can be found here: Daily Mail Article
Independent.co.uk article can be found here: Independent.co.uk Article
The Register article can be found here: The Register Article
02 JUL 2013
Out of this World Success for the European Space Expo at Trinity College Dublin
Approximately 30,000 people visited the European Space Expo during its time at Trinity College Dublin from 4th to 9th June last, making it the most popular event of the 12 countries previously visited including London, Madrid, and Brussels.
Hosted by Trinity's School of Physics, visitors of all ages were given the opportunity to experience the wonders of space through interactive exhibits and learn how space science can benefit us all. As well as the team of dedicated mediators taking visitors on fun'-filled tours of the dome, a series of daily short Soap-Box Talks were given by talented scientists from all over Ireland on fascinating topics including 'What's happening on Mars today?', 'The Scale of The Universe' and 'Interstellar space flight and other wild adventures'.
Dedicated children's workshops were also held each day at the Space Expo dome including the 'Sun@One', which gave visitors the chance to remotely control a world famous telescope on the Canary Islands and take pictures of the sun, 'SkySketcher,' where children were able to make pastel sketches of the Sun using real scientific images taken from famous telescopes around the world, and 'Make your own Comet' with expert comet-making mediators helping the participants make models of what a real comet in space look like. Over 700 children in 26 school group visits took part in these workshops at the Space Expo Dome during its visit to Trinity.
The number of visitors to the Expo is a testament to the huge public interest that there is in Ireland in science and space in particular. Space science and astronomy capture people's imagination and are key to attracting students into careers in science and engineering.
The Space Expo also highlighted the important role that Irish researchers play in European Space Agency and the European Commission space activities. Ireland's involvement with the European Space Agency (ESA) enables Irish researchers to be at the cutting edge of modern space science and astrophysics.
- Professor Peter Gallagher (Solar Physicist at TCD & Organiser of Space Expo Event at Trinity College Dublin)
The European Space Expo was officially launched on 4th June by the Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock and words of welcome were also sent by Commander Chris Hadfield to the Space Expo during the launch. The European Space Expo is funded by the European Commission. The initiative also received local funding from Science Foundation Ireland.
21 MAY 2013
European Space Expo: 4 - 9 June, Trinity College Dublin
The European Space Expo is an exciting, interactive exhibition visiting Dublin in June 2013.
The spectacular Space Expo dome will be in Front Square, Trinity College, and open to the public from June 4th - 9th.
Some highlights from the Space Expo
Construction of the European Space Expo at Front Square, Trinity College Dublin
Full details can be found on the website spaceexpo.ie.
09 MAY 2013
Birr Radio Telescope Will Again Put Ireland at Centre of Research Univerise
An article published in the Tullamore Tribune discusses how plans to construct a cutting-edge radio telescope in Birr may see the town with the richest history in astronomical discovery in Ireland reclaim its crown as the epicentre of Irish celestial research in the future.
Full article can be read here: TULLAMORE TRIBUNE
MAY 2013
Science Spin: Fractal Ireland
Stefan Hutzler features in Science Spin's May issue explaining how to go about measuring the length of Ireland’s convoluted coastline.
Full article can be read here: Science Spin: May 2013
04 MAR 2013
Transition Year Physics Experience (TYPE) Week
We have just completed a another TYPE week. 24 Students from all over the country came together to learn more about careers in Physics, participate in experiments and attend lectures.
Here's what some of the Transition Year student thought about the School of Physics TYPE week...
It was an excellent day, a fantastic introduction to Nanoscience. I learned about the advantages of studying physics and the importance of nanoscience now and in the future.
- Jake Johnston, Waterpark College, Waterford
Excellent day, learned a lot about physics and Trinity. Much appreciated!
- Hanah Cahill, St Louis Secondary School, Co. Monaghan
Great day, gave me a good idea of 3rd level physics and has encouraged me to continue with physics for 5th year. I now also have a greater knowledge of university and college life. Recommended!
- James Meaney, C.B.S Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Friendly atmosphere, well-informed lectures - WORTHWHILE!!
- Finton O'Connor, St Peters College, Co. Wexford
See below for more information on applying to study Physics at Trinity College Dublin:
Take a look at the links below for information on Transition Year courses run by Trinity's CRANN and the Science Gallery.
13 FEB 2013
EXPLORING OSCILLATION
Last night, as part of The Science Gallery's SFI Speaker Series hosted by Niamh Shaw, OSCILLATOR curators Douglas Repetto and Stefan Hutzler took us through the vibratory world of oscillators and oscillations plus the ideas and phenomena that inspired Science Gallery's latest exhibition.
Claire O'Connell's article below, featured in New Scientist, discusses the Oscillator: Everything in motion exhibition:
08 FEB 2013
OSCILLATOR: Everything in Motion
Profs. Finch & Bergin entertained the public at the opening night of the Science Gallery's Oscillator. Prof Finch demonstrated modes of vibration using sand and a Chladni plate. His practiced bowing technique sent shrill notes around the Gallery as Chladni patterns appeared.
Next to him, Prof. Bergin was busy smashing wine glasses using sound - demonstrating resonance. Before smashing, the glass's mouth (with a little help from a strobe light) could be seen to wobble, or breathe, before its elastic limit was exceeded and the glass was smashed to pieces.
The School of Physics played an integral part in the design of Science Gallery's Oscillator - with Prof. Hutzler lending his expertise and enthusiasm.
28 JAN 2013
CRANN Secures Leading Role in 1 Billion euro Graphene Research Project
The European Commission has announced that CRANN, the Science Foundation Ireland funded nanoscience institute based at Trinity College Dublin, has secured a primary role in the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Graphene Flagship project. The EU Commission has committed €1 billion to the Graphene Flagship, the largest ever research project funded in the history of the European Union.
The aim of the Graphene Flagship is to realise the commercial potential of graphene, a 'wonder material' that is considered the future of manufacturing. 126 academics and industry groups from 17 countries will work on 15 work packages.
Full article can be found below:
24 JAN 2013
Cellix Highlighted As One Of 19 Innovative Companies As Ireland Holds The EU Presidency Of The Council Of European Research
Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of European Research for the next 6 months. To mark the start of its term, Enterprise Ireland held a launch event at their offices where Cellix was highlighted as one 19 companies who have benefited from European Union funding to support R & D.
The successful event at Enterprise Ireland's offices was attended by over 40 European press journalists and Ireland's Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Employment, Richard Bruton addressed the delegation.
24 JAN 2013
European Space Roadshow to visit Trinity in June 2013
The European Space Expo will visit Dublin and Cork in June 2013. This is a spectacular travelling exhibit that shows how space and its applications provide benefits to Europe.
There will be lots of exciting activities surrounding the Space Expo visit, including space-related workshops for kids, an Irish space industry event, public talks, and lots more.
The Space Expo highlights the critical role of space and space-based technologies to Europe. In Ireland, there is an active space science and astronomy research community who have worked with the European Space Agency for many decades. What's more, there are now over 40 Irish companies working with ESA on everything from telecommunications, to materials, to remote sensing of our oceans.
The Expo will visit Trinity College Dublin on June 4-9. Entrance to the Expo will be free.
Check out a movie of the Space Expo on the road across Europe.
10 DEC 2012
Physics Supports Juno
In November the School of Physics became a Juno Supporter. Project Juno was established by the Institute of Physics in 2007. Juno aims to develop an equitable working culture in which students and staff, men and women, can all achieve their full potential.
Research shows that increasing the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and promoting gender equality is vital for building research capacity and strengthening the competitiveness of European research. A greater involvement by women in STEM research will add a different perspective, increasing diversity, leading to enhanced creativity and ultimately greater innovation.
Juno encourages schools of physics to address the under-representation of women at all levels in university physics and encourages better practice for both women and men. The School of Physics wants all its students to find it attractive to stay in science. Juno is complementary to other initiatives in college such as Trinity's Centre for Women in Science & Engineering Research (WiSER), and the EU Framework Project, INTEGER. For further information you can contact Prof. Louise Bradley or follow the links below.
Structural change in research institutions: Enhancing excellence, gender equality and efficiency in research and innovation. (European Commission Report)
29 NOV 2012
Physics business brings in €7bn to Irish economy
A new report from the Institute of Physics (IOP) shows that physics-based businesses contribute more than €7bn annually to the Irish economy and directly employ over 86,000.
Across Ireland, physics, and physics-trained people, underpin a wide range of, businesses from medical technologies to ICT, space industry, web services and even some areas of high-finance. The analysis, by Deloitte, in the report describes the impact of these sectors, which are critically-dependent on the supply of new physics research and physics-trained people.
More details can be found in the following IOP article:
27 NOV 2012
Paul Higgins, of the TCD Astrophysics Research Group, wins "I'm a Scientist, Get me Out of Here!"
"I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!" is an X Factor-style competition between scientists where students get to interact with them and pick the winners.
Students challenge the scientists over intense, fast-paced online live CHATs. They then ASK the scientists all the questions they want to, and VOTE for their favourite scientist.
Congratulations to Paul Higgins, of the TCD Astrophysics Research Group, who was the winner of the "Space Zone" category. Paul receives a prize of €500 to communicate his work with the public.
More details of the competition and Paul's work can be found here:
23 NOV 2012
Professor Valeria Nicolosi receiving the 2012 RDS/Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience
On the 20th of November, Professor Valeria Nicolosi was awarded the RDS Medal in recognition of her contribution to the field of Nanoscience (images courtesy of the RDS)
22 NOV 2012
Prof Stefano Sanvito is awarded starter grant from European Research Council
Prof Stefano Sanvito, deputy director of the Crann Nanotech Research Centre and director of the Computational Spintronics group at TCD, was one of four scientists to receive the ERC starter grant.
Prof Sanvito is researching the use of organic chemicals as an alternative to silicon in electronics. "There are a lot of applications where silicon is not good, for example in flexible applications" Prof Sanvito says. Prof Sanvito models materials to understand their characteristics and these can then be made at Crann. He wants to use organics because they are cheaper to make, formed at much lower temperatures. They also come in such variety and are more readily recycled.
More details can be found in the following Irish Times article:
19 NOV 2012
Prof Michael Coey named SFI 'researcher of the year'
Professor Michael Coey, who specialises in the areas of spin electronics and magnetism, received the researcher of the year accolade from the Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock, TD, at SFI's science summit in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
More details can be found in the following Silicon Republic article:
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/item/30198-tcds-prof-michael-coey/
15 NOV 2012
Congratulations to Professor Valeria Nicolosi who has been awarded the 2012 RDS/Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience
Professor Valeria Nicolosi, ERC Research Professor at the School of Physics and the School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin and Principal Investigator at CRANN, TCD has been awarded the 2012 RDS / Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience in recognition of her contribution to the field of Nanoscience. The Award recognises her world leading research as well as her strong commitment to communicating her research to a diverse audience.
Internationally regarded as a leading expert in the field of processing of low-dimensional nanostructures and electron microscopy, Professor Nicolosi researches novel materials such as graphene and other one-atom materials whose properties make them super strong, lightweight and electrically conductive and form the basis for new technologies amongst which novel energy storage devices
On the 20th of November, Professor Nicolosi will explore the “nano-flatlands” of ultra-thin materials, which are just a single atom thick.free in public lecture in the RDS Concert Hall, where she will be awarded an RDS medal in recognition of her achievement
09 NOV 2012
Congratulations to Dr Shane Bergin who has won the Top Prize in "Designs for Learning 2012"
Dr Shane Bergin, a Physics Lecturer has won a €5000 prize to fund a project that aims to educate morning communters about Physics and Science.
More details can be found in the following The Journal article:
http://www.thejournal.ie/morning-commute-science-lessons-666550-Nov2012/
Professer Jonathan Coleman awarded the Kroll Medal
Jonathan Coleman was presented with the Kroll Medal of the Institute of Materials at the Annual Special Awards and Publication Dinner on Wednesday 31st October 2012 in London:
Senior Freshman Group Study Projects in Physics
The SF Physics Poster session 2012-2013 took place last Friday. Four prizes were awarded for Best Content, Best Presentation, Best Content Runner Up and Best Presentation Runner Up. Prize winners are listed below:
- Test Best content - €50 Read's voucher and biography of E.T.S. Walton by Professor V.J. McBrierty (for each student)
Eamon Conway, Darragh McGrath, Eamonn O'Shea, Manya Sahni
T - Low Reynolds number flow (Prof. Matthias Möbius) - Best presentation - €50 Read's voucher and biography of E.T.S. Walton by Professor V.J. McBrierty (for each student)
Jeffrey McHugh, Jun Rong Li, Fintan O'Sullivan
O - The perfect way to boil an egg (Prof. Shane Bergin) - Runners-up for content - Biography of E.T.S. Walton by Professor V.J. McBrierty (for each student)
Rebecca Mason, Carlin McGinty, Aoife Plunkett, Stephen White
Z - Photolithography in semiconductor device fabrication (Prof. Hongzhou Zhang) - Runners-up for presentation - Biography of E.T.S. Walton by Professor V.J. McBrierty (for each student)
Frank Chambers, Megan Guthrie, Mark McGrath, Thomas Power
G - New states of matter (Prof. Paul Eastham)
15 OCT 2012
An appreciation: Cyril Francis George Delaney
Cyril Francis George Delaney, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin and former professor of experimental physics, who died recently aged 87, was a outstandingly talented and inspirational scientist and a highly regarded lecturer to many generations of students ...
Eric Finch
11 OCT 2012
Prof Mike Coey lectures at Max-Plank Institute for Chemical Physics
Last week, Prof Mike Coey was invited to give a series of lectures on 'Magnetism and Magnetic Materials' at Max-Plank Institute for Chemical Physics, Dresden.
The lectures were based on Prof Mike Coey's advanced textbook titled 'Magnetism and Magnetic Materials'. Attendees at the talks included a large group of graduate students and researchers.
26 SEP 2012
Frontiers of Physics 2012 at Trinity College Dublin
This year Trinity played host to the successful Frontiers of Physics 2012 conference. The conference, organised by the Institute of Physics in Ireland, aims to establish links with secondary schools all over the country and to present the latest developments in physics and physics teaching.
More details on the conference can be found in WIT lecturer Cormac O'Rafferty's blog "Antimatter":Frontiers of Physics 2012 at Trinity College Dublin
This year Trinity played host to the successful Frontiers of Physics 2012 conference. Cormac O'Rafferty, lecturer at WIT, writes about the conference in his blog "Antimatter" ... READ MORE
26 SEP 201226 SEP 2012
Congratulations to Trinity JF Theoretical Physics' student, Eric Doyle
Eric Doyle, JF Theoretical Physics' student, was one of two students who have been awarded a European young scientist prize for their mathematical project that could be of value to Nasa.
Mark Kelly and Eric Doyle from Synge Street CBS, Dublin, were announced as winners of the first prize in physics at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Bratislava, Slovakia, yesterday.
More details can be found in the following Irish Times article:24 SEP 2012
Congratulations to Valeria Nicolosi & Stefano Sanvito who have been granted ERC funding
Prof Stefano Sanvito will be using his ERC funds to help guide people who want to make devices from organic materials. Prof Valeria Nicolosi is working on ultra-thin materials that are just a single atom thick.
More details can be found in the following Irish Times article:17 SEP 2012
Valeria Nicolosi has been awarded the 2012 RDS/Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience
Valeria Nicolosi received the award in recognition of her world-leading research in nanoscience and her strong commitment to communicating her research to a diverse audience.
More details can be found in the following Irish Times article:14 SEP 2012
Congratulations to Stefano Sanvito who received a research fund of up to €2m
Stefano Sanvito is one of four Irish scientists who have been granted research funds of up to €2m to develop their ideas and build up research teams. Their projects focus on urban neighbourhoods, genes in evolution, quantitative electron and spin transport theory and comparative genomics.
More details can be found in the following articles:- http://www.herald.ie/news/2m-for-our-scientists-3226432.html
- http://www.businessworld.ie/livenews.htm?a=2982283
- http://www.talktoeu.ie/?p=3006
06 SEP 2012
Irish Times Article: Why stacking oranges bears fruit for modern communication
THAT’S MATHS AN INTERNATIONAL workshop on packing problems took place in Trinity College Dublin earlier this week. Packing problems are concerned with storing objects as densely as possible in a container. Usually the goods and the container are of fixed shape and size.....READ MORE
24 AUG 2012
Manuela Lunz receives Daniel Bradley Prize 2010
Today Manuela Lunz received the Daniel Bradley Prize 2010 for her exceptional thesis. James Lunney, Head of the School of Physics, presented the award in the Fitzgerald Building at Trinity College Dublin.
23 AUG 2012
Irish Times Letter: An Irish slice of EU science funding
Sir, - Ireland's poor success rate in winning grants from the European Research Council (Business+Technology, August 16th) comes as no surprise to many of us in the Irish scientific community, given recent warnings from a number of international funding agencies. What is of particular concern is that new Government policy, which is driving Science Foundation Ireland's adoption of Forfás's research prioritisation themes, may compound Ireland's underperformance in Europe's flagship science funding scheme.
At the recent Euroscience Open Forum held in Dublin in July, numerous Nobel prizewinners, the head of the European Research Council (ERC), and the European Research Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, all emphasised the importance of maintaining investment in frontier research. Indeed, the commissioner highlighted the crucial importance of investment in fundamental scientific research to maintain the EU's economic competitiveness.
At the same time, Helga Nowotny, head of the European Research Council, warned that redirection of funds to commercially-focused research rather than basic research threatens scientific excellence in Ireland, and expressed fears that both young and experienced researchers will abandon the country as a result. Prof Nowotny highlighted that there is a direct correlation between the percentage of GDP spent on research and success at the European Research Council. If Ireland fails to fund basic research, ERC funding will be cut off from Irish scientists, which would be a major failure on the part of the Government.
We therefore call on the Government and SFI to continue to invest broadly in fundamental research and not to restrict their support to narrow prioritised themes. Without this investment, it will be difficult for Ireland to secure a higher proportion of the €80 billion to be spent on research in the next EU Framework programme. This is an opportunity that Ireland cannot afford to miss. - Yours, etc,
Prof PETER T GALLAGHER, School of Physics, TCD; Prof LUKE O'NEILL, ERC Advanced Grant Panel Chair for Immunology, Director, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, TCD; Prof PAUL CALLANAN, School of Physics, UCC; Prof DAVID McCONNELL, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, TCD; Dr EMMA TEELING, ERC Starting Investigator, School of Biology and Environment Science, UCD; Dr EAMONN CASHELL, Dean of Graduate Studies, CIT; Prof JAMES LUNNEY, Head of Physics, TCD; Prof JAMES McINERNEY, Department of Biology, NUIM; Prof RICHARD TIMONEY, School of Mathematics, TCD; Prof KEN WOLFE, ERC Advanced Investigator, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, TCD; Prof LORRAINE HANLON, School of Physics, UCD; Prof PATRICK DUFFY, Department of Geography, NUIM; Prof SINEAD RYAN, School of Mathematics, TCD; Prof WERNER NAHM, FRS, Director, School of Theoretical Physics, DIAS; Prof MIKE PEARDON, School of Mathematics, TCD; Dr MARY O'CONNELL, School of Biotechnology, DCU Prof GERALDINE BUTLER, Conway Institute of Biomolecular Biomedical Research, UCD, C/o Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
20 AUG 2012
Chip harvesting electricity may charge your mobile phone while you talk
Your mobile phone may soon be charging itself while you talk, powered up by a new kind of chip that can harvest electricity. It converts "waste" electromagnetic radiation directly into power and the technology will deliver a new kind of highly efficient solar cell.
"It is energy harvesting from electromagnetic waves," explains Prof Vojislav Krstic, of Trinity College's school of physics and principal investigator at Crann nanotechnology research centre.
He heads the nano and magnetoelectronics research centre there. "We are looking into advanced materials and their electronic properties," he says. Crann also happens to be a world leader in the production of nanotech structures, and his team can characterise their electrical properties, using funding from Science Foundation Ireland's Technology Innovation Development Award programme. He called one such structure a "forest". It is formed from pure nickel metal but instead of trees it sports antennas. And in keeping with its nanotech connections, these antennas are minute.
Just 1sq cm can hold 100 million of these antenna "trees", and these are the devices that deliver the power.15 MAY 2012
Dermot Desmond Support for Irish Radio Telescope in Birr
Great news for the I-LOFAR team! Dermot Desmond has recently invested in the I-LOFAR project.
His support is an exciting development for the project, which requires approximately €1.2 million to install a LOFAR station in Birr, Co. Offaly and enable Ireland to join the €150 million International LOFAR Network of radio telescopes across northern Europe. The I-LOFAR project is led by Dr. Peter Gallagher of TCD Physics.
Credit: (c) J. McKean and M. Wise, ASTRON
16 MAR 2012
Edward Hutchinson Synge Symposium, 16 MAR 2012
Schrödinger Lecture Theatre, Fitzgerald Building, Trinity College Dublin 19 April 2012
A symposium will be held on Thursday, 19th April 2012 to celebrate the extraordinary vision of E H Synge , familiarly known as Hutchie. He was the nephew of John Millington Synge, who wrote the Playboy of the Western World, and the older brother of John Lighton Synge, the outstanding mathematician and theoretical physicist. Hutchie’s highly original conceptions in physics were fifty years ahead of his time. While his brother did not appreciate Hutchie’s achievements at the time, in old age he wrote of him : “In the course of a varied academic career, I never had a colleague as interesting intellectually as Hutchie, for his mind ranged widely over art, literature, history, philosophy and science”.
We are holding the symposium to belatedly honour this singular man, who studied at Trinity before entering a life of seclusion from which he never re-emerged into Dublin society. His visionary insights into future technology lie in what we now call nanoscience, with the invention of the near-field optical microscope that allows imaging below the diffraction limit, in LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) where he outlines a scheme for studies of the atmosphere, and in astronomy where he invented a new type of telescope.
The symposium will take place in Trinity College Dublin during our annual Trinity Week celebrations. Speakers include Lukas Novotny from Rochester University and Alastair Glasse from Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. Talks will give both historical and technical perspectives. A simultaneous publication of his key papers is planned, together with a short biography.
To register for the event please visit: syngesymposium.eventbrite.ie