(1) GENERAL SAIP ANNOUNCEMENTS Miss J Padayachee : secretary@saip.org.za (2a) Background : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA Lizel@nrf.ac.za and Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za (2b) Committees : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA Prof E.C. Zingu : Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za (3) Questionaire : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA Prof E.C. Zingu : Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za (4) REPORT ON IUPAP ACTIVITIES Prof E.C. Zingu : Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za (5) WORLD YEAR OF PHYSICS 2005 Prof E.C. Zingu : Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za (6) LAUNCH OF THE AFRICAN LASER CENTRE AS THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC NEPAD INITIATIVE Prof Malik Maaza : MaazaM@physics.wits.ac.za (7) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORLD-CLASS SYNCHROTRON RADIATION FACILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA Mr A. Joel : Ajoel@necsa.co.za (8) SCIENCE ON THE MOVE IN NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL Derek Fish : thefish@iafrica.com (9) DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENCE Derek Fish : thefish@iafrica.com (10) FORTE' SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Beginner Mapuranga and Pkwinana@ufh.ac.za (11) YOUNG PhD SCIENTISTS WIN THE YOUNG WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARD Prof Malik Maaza : MaazaM@physics.wits.ac.za (12) PRIZES Dr. JJ Terblans : TerblansJJ.sci@mail.uovs.ac.za (13) INVITED LECTURE Dr. K. Kemm : stratek@pixie.co.za -------------------------- (1) GENERAL SAIP ANNOUNCEMENTS (a) De Beers Gold Medal 2004 The next De Beers Gold Medal will be awarded in 2004. Nominations may be sent to the Secretary before 16h00 on 27 February 2004. Full details on the award may be found at: http://www.saip.org.za/AwardsGold.html (b) Council Meetings Minutes of Council Meeting held on 24 October 2003 at the Mangosuthu Technikon, Durban can be found at http://www.saip.org.za/Minutes.html. The next Council Meeting will be held on 20 February 2004 at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Items for discussion may be sent to the Secretary at least 10 days before the meeting. (c) Call for Information on Recent Graduates At the recent Council Meeting, it was decided that it would be useful if there was a list (on the Careers Section of the SAIP website) of where recent physics graduates are employed together with what field in physics was studied. If you are (or know of) a recent graduate, please send the following to the Secretary : thesis title/field in physics, institution studied at, date of graduation, current place of employment and what the job entails. (d) Upcoming Conferences Details of upcoming conferences/workshops can be found at: http://www.saip.org.za/Conferences.html. If you would like your conference/workshop advertised on the SAIP website, please forward details to the Secretary. (e) SAIP Logo Competition This is another reminder to enter the competition to design a new logo for the SAIP. Send entries in any format to the Secretary before 30 January 2004. Further details can be found at: http://www.saip.org.za/Logo.html (f) SAIP Affiliate News South African Acoustics Institute - Latest newsletter can be found at: http://www.saip.org.za/Affiliates.html (g) Physics 2005 2005 has been declared the World Year of Physics by IUPAP. Keep an eye on http://www.saip.org.za/physics2005/Index.html for details on how you can get involved in the celebrations of physics around South Africa in 2005. (h) Professional Membership Fees and the South African Revenue Service - J.A.A. Engelbrecht (japie.engelbrecht@upe.ac.za) It has recently come to my attention that professional membership fees are no longer tax deductable. The section which prohibits the deduction against your employment income is section 23(m) which applies from 1 March 2002. However the subscriptions may be deductible against your professional non employment income provided the expenditure is in the production of that income. _________________________________________ (2a) Background : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA You might be aware of the process that has been launched by the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to "Shape the Future of Physics in South Africa". Through this process we hope to reposition physics in South Africa and improve our international competitiveness. This process of shaping the future of physics in South Africa arose from the interest and concerns of the major role players in Physics. Facilities for research are losing their competitive position due to insufficient investment in them, and research groups have had little impact on technology development and knowledge generation. It is envisaged that through this process, a strategy document will be developed that will inform Government, industry, the research community and academia about the steps that need to be taken for physics to thrive and have a positive socio-economic impact. We also hope that through the implementation of a strategic plan, we will be able to bring back the excitement of physics to the public and inspire a new generation of physicists. ________________________________________ (2b) Committees : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA The process of "Shaping the future of Physics in South Africa" is well underway. The Technical Committee under the instructions of the Management and Policy Committee, is engaged in the logistical arrangements. Based on the nominations received from the physics community, the International Committee will consist of 8 members: 5 foreign + 2 South African + Convenor (South African). The Technical Committee is preparing background documentation for the International Panel(IP). These document include position papers, catalogues of physics activities, reviews undertaken in the past and statistics of students in physics. If you are aware of documents that could assist the International Panel in its work, please make us aware of such documents. The IP will meet from 8 to 20 March 2004. A work plan (meetings with organisations and individuals, and on-site visits) for the International Panel is being developed. The Physics community has been invited to make written submissions to the International Panel through questionnaires and extended documents. We encourage you to participate in the project to ensure that we really shape the future of physics positively. _________________________________________ (3) Questionnaire : SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SOUTH AFRICA As you know, the International Panel will be visiting a number of institutions and consult with as many physicists as possible during a two-week period in March 2004. While it will not be possible to meet with every physicist in South Africa, we would like the Panel to be aware of the views of all the physicists in South Africa. Your views are therefore being solicited, and will be conveyed to the Panel. Please assist by completing the questionnaire below. It should only take a minute of your time. Simply click on the preferred option (check box) or enter text in the spaces provided. The information will be collated and provided to the International Panel. 1. What is your own field of expertise: Solid State and Materials Science Particle and Nuclear Physics Atomic Physics, Plasma Physics Physics Education Computational Physics Theoretical Physics Laser physics, Optics and Spectroscopy Industrial Physics Astrophysics Other: 2. Main focus in research or in other professional activity (in a few words): (optional) ????? 3. Are you aware of any other physicists engaged in similar research or professional activities as you are? a. Yes, in my physics department b. Yes, in another physics department in the same city c. Yes, in another physics department in another city d. Not in South Africa but in another country e. Nowhere else in the world f. I don't know 4. How would you rate the standard of research in your field in South Africa relative to the rest of the world that you are aware of? a. Leading b. Higher than average c. About average d. Lower than average e. Unaware of the standard of research in other countries 5. Considering only the best research group in South Africa in your broad field of expertise, how do you consider that their research quality compare internationally (with US, Western Europe or Japan)? a. Leading b. Higher than average c. About average d. Lower than average e. Don't know 6. Have the research results (or activities) of your group had an impact on the development of technology in South Africa in the last 5-10 years? a. Innovation (new technology) was based on our results b. Limited, some improvement of existing technology was achieved c. Hardly any d. Don't know 7. Have the research results of your group had an international impact on the development of your broad field of expertise in the last 5-10 years? Did you break new ground? a. At the forefront in an innovative way b. Indirectly, somewhat behind the leaders c. Hardly at all d. Don't know 8. In your opinion, have the research results of any group in South Africa had an international impact on the development of physics (International) in the last 5-10 years? Did they break new ground? a. At the forefront in an innovative way b. Indirectly, somewhat behind the leaders c. Hardly at all d. Don't know 9. In your opinion, what is the single most important change that is necessary to improve the competitiveness and impact of your research group? a. More post graduate students b. More funding c. New equipment d. Better prepared matriculants entering higher education e. New physics curriculum in your institution Zingu@julian.mantec.ac.za f. New research projects g. Different national priorities h. Industrial partnership i. Other: ?????.. 10. In your opinion, what is the single most important change that is necessary to improve the competitiveness and the impact of physics in South Africa? a. More post graduate students b. More funding c. New equipment d. Better prepared matriculants entering higher education e. Revised physics curriculum at universities f. New research projects g. Different national priorities h. Industrial partnership i. More effective Institute of Physics (SAIP) j. Other: ?????... OPTIONAL You may provide the Panel with additional information, comments or ideas that you consider important for shaping the future of physics in South Africa. Please return the completed questionnaire as an attachment via email to the Technical Committee: _________________________________________ (4) REPORT ON IUPAP ACTIVITIES South Africa is one of three countries in Africa who are affiliated to IUPAP (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics). The other two countries are Egypt and Senegal. Ghana has observer status. One of the most important activities of IUPAP is the sponsoring International conferences. The next international conference to be held in South Africa to be sponsored by IUPAP is the Physics Education conference to be held in July 2004 in Durban. IUPAP also facilitates the development of emerging fields which could be strategic for the future. One such field is Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers. This was initiated by OECD, and IUPAP through a number of its commissions is participating in an International Working Group that will coordinate the development of a research framework for Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers. This activity is important for South Africa because of our commitment to Laser physics through our National Laser Centre, and the recent establishment of an African Laser Centre with its close ties with NEPAD, supported by the Department of Science and Technology. You will be aware of two incidents of unethical behaviour of researchers/authors in the US (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Bell Laboratories where it was found that published results were faked. Various physical societies have now reviewed or introduced their code of conduct and ethics in response to these incidents. IUPAP will be publishing guidelines shortly after the meeting with publishers of scientific journals that was held on 13-14 October 2003 to discuss specific problems including plagiarism, the review mechanisms, authorship, etc. _________________________________________ (5) WORLD YEAR OF PHYSICS 2005 Preparations for the World Year of Physics 2005 are well underway, both in South Africa and in the rest of the world. A first preparatory conference was held in Graz on 6 - 9 July 2003, initiated by the University of Graz, Austria. A record of the proceedings which includes presentations and projects conceptualized for 2005 are available on the web at: http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/exp8www/wyp2005/main.htm The next conference will be held in along with the March 2004 meeting of the American Physical Society in Montreal. You are encouraged to make suggestions for activities in South Africa. Information about local plans can be found on the SAIP homepage. We would welcome volunteers for various activities to be organised in South Africa. There are also opportunities to collaborate with physicists in other countries on several international activities for WYP 2005. _________________________________________ (6) LAUNCH OF THE AFRICAN LASER CENTRE AS THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC NEPAD INITIATIVE After three years of intense deliberations, the African Laser Centre (ALC) has been launched on the 6 November 2003. This first scientific African prestigious event has taken place during the NEPAD Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology in Johannesburg, South Africa. The official opening was accomplished by Honourable Minister, Dr.Ben NGUBANE. The cornerstone of such an event was initiated by dedicated physicists from South Africa & Senegal, as Physicist Dr. Giovanni HEARNE from Wits University, as well as by African Diaspora scientists such as Prof.Sekazi MTINGWA from Massachussets Institute of Technology. The African Laser Center comprises various African centers throughout the continent, supported from its birth stage by numerous international institutions such as ICO " International Commission of Optics", ICTP " International Center for Theoretical Physics as well as by OSA " Optical Society of America". Among the objectives of the African Laser Centre, and as mentioned by Dr.Ph. MJWARA & Mr. Henry TROMP, key component within the National Laser Centre as well as ALC, one should mention : (1) Promotion of research & training programmes of major laser research user facilities within the continent, (2) Reverse the brain-drain of researchers from the African continent to the more scientifically & technologically advanced global regions by providing a competitive knowledge base & attractive research & development facilities. The African Laser Centre intends building competences through exploiting & leveraging of existing expertise & infrastructure. The following list of larger facilities is forming the initial core of the ALC, with respective focus areas for research & development as indicated: (a) The National Laser Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, Manufacturing, Machining & Materials Processing, (b) The University of Cheick Anta-Diop in Dakar, Senegal, Atomic & Molecular Physics & Laser Spectroscopy & Processing, (c) The Laser & Fiber Optics Centre in Cape Coast, Ghana, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, (d) National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences in Cairo, Egypt, Medical & Biological Applications of Lasers, (e) The advanced Technologies Development Centre in Algiers, Algeria, Laser Spectroscopy & Surface Studies, (f) Tunis El Manar University in Tunis, Tunisia, Plant & Environmental Science and Molecular Spectroscopy. _______________________________________ (7) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORLD-CLASS SYNCHROTRON RADIATION FACILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA. There have been reports in the media in the recent past about two very exciting large-scale, prestigious, scientific projects, namely, the South African Large Telescope (SALT) and the Square Kilometre Array. Recently, a proposal for an investigation into another large-scale scientific project was submitted to the Department of Science and Technology and to the Department of Trade and Industry. If shown to be feasible, the proposed facility promises to bring numerous direct benefits in a wide variety of disciplines in scientific research, technology development and manufacturing, as well as international prestige to South Africa, and even to Africa as a whole. What is proposed is the establishment of a world-class synchrotron radiation facility in South Africa. The synchrotron is an electron accelerator in the form of a large horizontal ring. Depending on the power of the device, the ring can have a diameter from tens of metres to several hundreds of metres. Electrons are accelerated to speeds near that of light and are then contained within the ring. Powerful magnets are used to bend their paths around the ring. In traversing the ring the electrons generate copious amounts of extremely intense electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible, ultraviolet and x-ray spectral regions. This radiation can be tailored for use in an amazing number and variety of scientific experiments and industrial processes. These can be performed simultaneously and continuously at different locations by different groups positioned around the periphery of the ring. A large number of high power synchrotrons already exist elsewhere. Canada and Australia are currently building their own world-class facilities. There are units in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Japan. In the developing world there are machines operating in Brazil, Korea, Taiwan, China and India. Just the engineering involved in building this "South African Light Source" will provide numerous, lucrative opportunities for the civil construction, mechanical, electrical, electronic, high-power microwave, vacuum technology, process control and information technology disciplines. Once in operation, the facility can form a powerful nucleus for the training of a new generation of African physicists, chemists, biochemists, biotechnologists, materials scientists, nanotechnologists, industrial researchers and medical researchers. For more information on synchrotrons and their uses visit http://www.esrf.fr/ http://sls.web.psi.ch/view.php/about/index.html http://www.aps.anl.gov/aps.php http://www.cls.usask.ca/ http://www.spring8.or.jp/e/ _________________________________________ (8) SCIENCE ON THE MOVE IN NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL This outreach programme involves setting up a mobile Science Centre in rural schools in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Mobile science exhibits, science shows and workshops for teachers all form part of the programme. The exhibits spend a day in each school, using a model developed by the Questacon Science Circus in Australia, and used successfully all around Australia and also around the Pacific. At each school, the following learner groups are targeted (in addition to all the Science Educators): Senior Secondary Schools:- Grade 8 learners (all) 150-200 Grade 9 learners (all) 150-200 Grade 10 - 12 Science learners 150-200 (per school, per day) All the learners mentioned above are exposed to the interactive exhibits and have a chance to experiment with them. In addition, a simple Science Show is presented to each group. Over 450 learners are impacted daily. Anyone wanting to know more about the programme is welcome to contact Derek Fish or Alfred Tsipa on 035-7973204 or thefish@iafrica.com _________________________________________ (9) DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENCE Unizul Science Centre (USC) once again showed that their Science Shows are the best in Southern Africa! Alfred Tsipa and Derek Fish of the USC claimed first prize in the Best Science Demo competition at the 6th Annual Conference of SAASTEC (The Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres) in Polokwane. Just three months ago, this dynamic duo won first and third prizes (respectively) in the Demo Competition at the S.A. Institute of Physics Conference in Stellenbosch. Derek previously beat off the best of Britain to win first prize at the British Science Centre Conference held in England in 1998. Alfred and Derek won first prize with their "Good Vibrations" show, which explains the science of sound and music through the medium of local musical instruments. The show, which was developed with funding from BHP Billiton, incorporates instruments, video, surround sound effects and state of the art computer sound analysis plus much audience participation! Unizul Science Centre welcomes school groups of up to 80 any weekday - phone 035-7971835 for booking details. Come and see Southern Africa's best! _________________________________________ (10) FORTE' SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (FOSST) The project aims at enabling and encouraging learners to enter careers in science, engineering, and technology (SET). This proposed school of excellence consists of four programmes viz (a) Forte' TRAC Programme, which supports science, mathematics, and biology subjects from grade 10 to 12 in the form of syllabus experiments. It also empowers learners in problem-solving skills by solving real world problems using real life examples. (b) Forte' Sunstep Programme, which aims at empowering technology educators to be better facilitators of newly introduced learning area. It also aims at enabling learners to acquire practical knowledge through "hands-and-minds on" approach and assist them to make informed decisions about their subject and career choices. (c) Science Exhibition Programme, which aims at unveiling hidden talent among prospective scientists at high school and tertiary levels. This programme further promotes creative thinking and enables participants to be job creators rather than job seekers. (d) The ESP Programme, which aims at assisting the surrounding schools in mathematics, physical science and biology, subjects identified as problem areas in the region. The activity will assist in improving matric results and further introduce them to basic computer literacy. The assistance will be in the form of Saturday classes and during vacations. The school will be operated under the guidance of the participating organisations below, which will bring the following to FOSST: (i) The Sponsor: for the funding necessary to provide the equipment and operating costs including the staffing of the project for a specified period to establish effectiveness of FOSST. (ii) The University of Fort Hare: for providing human resource and the infrastructure such as laboratories and offices for FOSST. Also for providing overall management of the School through the funded staff of the FOSST. (iii) TRAC-SA: for providing training for FOSST personnel. Providing some TRAC lab equipment, worksheets, and related material (as part of the funded support). (iv) Sunstep: for providing training for the FOSST personnel. Also for providing electronics equipment and kits (as part of the funded support). (v) Eastern Cape Education Department in partnership with the University of Fort Hare: for providing curriculum guidance to FOSST personnel. Also to act as a formal link between schools and FOSST personnel. Project Benefits: Every role player is expected to derive some gain from the implementation of this project. The sponsors will fund a project that directly supports its objective. The University of Fort Hare will fulfil its mission to reach out and empower the surrounding community. The Education Department will also fulfil its mission of producing quality learners and empowering its personnel through the FOSST partnership. Please note : TRAC = Technology Outreach Activity Centre Sunstep = Stellenbosch University Schools Technology Electronics Project ESP = Education Support Programme _________________________________________ (11) YOUNG PhD SCIENTISTS WIN THE YOUNG WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARD Fernande Fotsa-Ngaffo, a Physics PhD student from Wits University, sponsored by the Third World Organization of Women in Sciences, was awarded the First Young Women in Science Award in the presence of the Deputy Minister and Deputy Director General, Dr. Adi PATTERSON, of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology on Friday 12 September 2003. This top award earned future young physicist Mrs. F. FOTSA-NGAFFO R100 000 and a gold medal for her research focused on the emerging scientific disciplines of nano-sciences and nano-technologies, under the mentorship of Dr Malik MAAZA. Such an outstanding recognition from the Department of Science & Technology as well as the international selection committee, is a crystal clear proof of importance of Physics in our society. The stringent selection criteria included the quality of the research carried out by the applicant, its current global forefront and its impact on the human society. The second awardee is Christine Steinmann who is doing her PhD at the Laser Research Institute of the University of Stellenbosch under the supervision of Dr. Erich Rohwer.She is doing laser spectroscopy on molecules and complexes at low temperatures in a supersonic gas jet. Christine plans to use the fellowship for a research visit to the laboratory of Prof. Carl Wieman in the USA, in order to gain experience with the techniques of laser cooling of atoms. The third awardee is Nomakwezi Mzilikazi , doing her Ph.D in zoology at the School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal- Pietermaritzburg. The international selection committee unanimously recognised the impact and potential of these new and emerging scientific and technological advances to sustainable development in the South & the role of women in building partnerships with stakeholders at all levels of society. These fellowships have been awarded only to young women scientists to give recognition to outstanding ability and promising research. This is part of an initiative to acknowledge and promote the role of women in science. Each fellowship includes financial support for a six months research visit at a research institution abroad. ______________________________________ (12) PRIZES Dr JJ TERBLANS has won the John Wiley & Sons Ltd Prize for the best poster award at the 10th international Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis (ECASIA03) 5-10 October 2003, Berlin, Germany. _____________________________________ (13) INVITED LECTURE TOUR In October Dr Kelvin Kemm completed a two-week invited lecture tour in the United States. He spoke at a number of universities and also at functions in Washington DC. He was guest speaker at a special meeting of the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington DC, and also met privately with various business and political leaders. His topics covered trade relations with South Africa, South African technological achievements, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, and areas of academic interaction. ******************************** ******* SAIP: Secretary Postnet Suite 228 Private Bag X10 MUSGRAVE 4062 South Africa URL: http://www.saip.org.za/