Latest news
First-ever 3D atomic imaging of an amorphous solid
A UCLA study led by Jianwei “John” Miao, professor of physics and astronomy, announces the first depiction of the 3D atomic structure of an amorphous solid. Miao’s research will provide higher levels of precision when working with amorphous solids. Understanding their atomic structure will help engineers create better versions of appliances and begin to apply them at a larger scale.
In order to determine the 3D atomic structure of an amorphous solid, Miao and his colleagues used electron tomography images of a material — metallic glass. When stitched together, the images created a 3D map of approximately 18,000 atoms that make up the nanoparticle. Scientists previously believed the solid’s arrangement of atoms are completely random, but they discovered some atoms in ordered clusters.
This groundbreaking research resulted from scientists in different disciplines working together.
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How building layouts affect an urban area’s air pollution
Suzanne Paulson, chair of the department of Atmospheric and Oceanic sciences, has co-authored a UCLA air quality study explaining the impact of building layouts in urban areas. The study simulated the effect that wind blowing through different building layouts would have on the flow of air pollution.
Paulson says, “It turns out that the most important factor for determining how severe street level pollution will be is whether there is space between buildings.” Open spaces around buildings allow air to circulate and clear up. The study found that pollution levels are highest at street-level and lowest in a checkerboard pattern.
Paulson’s research can help urban planners arrange buildings in a fashion that help air pollution circulation.
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California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA makes hands-on STEM learning accessible
California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has changed its outreach programs during the pandemic in order to continue educational events. CNSI has held exciting nanoscience programs for students and teachers to allow them to learn more through experiments. Due to the pandemic, CNSI has transitioned some of their programs such as, “Applications of Nanoscience,” online.
Sarah Tolbert, faculty education director at CNSI and a UCLA professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Rita Blaik, director of education at CNSI worked together to create experiments that could be safely recreated by students at home. They created video tutorials and provided teachers with supplies to carry out experiments. The online transition has showed CNSI that learning about nanoscience can be made more accessible to a wider audience.
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Learn more about the work that the UCLA Physical Sciences department has been sharing with the community. Listen to how our faculty is continuing the fight against COVID-19, the impacts of quantum physics on our world, and more. Click here for more information.
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Los Angeles Math Circle renamed the UCLA Olga Radko Endowed Math Circle
Radko was the founder of this successful, free math enrichment program for K-12 students. She died of ovarian cancer in June 2020 at the age of 45. In her honor, every gift made to the Math Circle up to $250,000 will be matched one-to-one through June 30, 2021.
Latest giving news:
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department to receive $4.1 million
The gift from adjunct professor Lawrence W. Harding, Jr. is the largest in the department’s history. It establishes the Lawrence Harding Endowed Chair to support a faculty member with expertise in oceanography, an area of study critical to life on Earth.