SAIP Newsletter - August 2006 (A) Women in Physics Mmantsae Diale : mmantsae.diale@up.ac.za The call for proposals for Women in Physics Project has been successful in approving three projects from Universities. One of these was for the 9th August to celebrate and commemorate the national women’s day in a different way. As the veterans of the 1956 marched to the Union Buildings, the University of Stellenbosch had fun with girls in Physics. These girls were very fortunate, they met three giants of the Western Cape: Dr. Zinhle Buthelezi., Dr Delia Marshal and Dr Christine Steenkamp. Great Work Done! The next call for proposals closes on 25th September 2006. It would be very encouraging to receive proposals for the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The proposals aim to attract girls into physics. Individuals and Universities from these areas are encouraged to apply. If you have an idea, send an email so that we can guide you on how to write the proposal. I have seen in the approved proposal that the Working Group was very patient in helping proposals to succeed. Post-Graduate students are also encouraged to remember their roots and take something back to where you were raised. ALUTA KONTIN UA for Women in Physics. At the SAIP, the Women in Physics Leaders, heard from many young women how they want to compete equally with their male colleagues. It must be made clear to the Physics Community in South Africa, that women in physics is not leading toward the so-called "lowering of standard’. Every Woman who takes Physics courses at university is encouraged to work harder. I enjoy listening to Claire Flanagan’s presentation on pulsars. I will soon be presenting my UV detectors such that even the novice will understand the Physics. I have also listened to Igle Gledhill talking about the defence "things’. You know she is great. There are women who have won prizes at SAIP presentations and they did win because they were women. (B) SAIP matters Jaynie Padayachee : secretary@saip.org.za 1. De Beers Gold Medal for 2006 The De Beers Gold Medal for 2006 was awarded to Prof. J.D. Comins (U. Witwatersrand). Thanks to Christina Scott (science journalist), the award received coverage in many newspapers and magazines. 2. News from Council (J. Padayachee : secretary@saip.org.za) 2.1. Minutes of Meetings Copies of minutes of all Council meetings can be downloaded from http://www.saip.org.za/Meetings.html The next Council meeting is scheduled for 20 October 2006. Items for discussion on the agenda may be sent to the Secretary before 6 October. 2.2. Summary of Minutes from Last Council Meeting (3 July 2006, UWC) This summary is provided for convenience only. The full (official) minutes are available from http://www.saip.org.za/Meetings.html (a) Shaping the Future of Physics in South Africa : The Department of Science and Technology has made available R329 000. Recommendations that received direct funding or explicit attention were: (i) Recommendation 3: Public Understanding of physics, R 250 000. (ii) Recommendation 4: Physics in Industry, R 79 000. (iii) Recommendation 15: SAIP Office, funding will be ring-fenced for a period of 3 years, pending an SAIP plan to demonstrate sustainability after that. (iv)Recommendation 5: Human Resource Development; it is recommended to National Research Foundation that dedicated funding will be ring-fenced for postgraduate students in physics. The National Institute for Theoretical Physics has been formed. Details of the announcement can be found at \url {http://www.dst.gov.za/media/press_releases.php?id=42&print=1}. Prof. Geyer has been appointed as interim Director. (b)Financial Matters: A total of 177 members are in arrears for 2005. Please contact the Treasurer (treasurer@saip.org.za ) if you would like to pay your fees. (c)Women in Physics in South Africa: WiPiSA is calling for proposals for projects that will help further the aims of the group. Contact Mmantsae Diale (mmantsae.diale@up.ac.za ) for more details. (d)Re-writing the Constitution: Prof. N. Chetty is the convenor of a committee to re-write the constitution of the SAIP. There are many sections in the current constitution that are outdated and others that need to be added. Contact Prof. Chetty (chettyn@ukzn.ac.za ) with suggestions for sections that need to be re-written. (e)New members since Feb. 2006: Miss. F.H. Mountfort (S) , Mnr. D. Spangenberg (S), Mr. A.A. Sikrweqe (O) , Mr. B. Van Soelen (S), Miss. A. Griessel (S) , Mnr. A.J. Hendriks (S), Mr. G.W. Bosman (S) , Mr. G.P. Nyamuda (S), Mr. G.J. Van Der Westhuizen (S) , Mr. H.J. van Heerden (S), Mrs. M. Erwee (S) , Mr. M. Msimanga (O), Dr. K. Moodley (O) , Dr. J.P. Burger (O), Me. G.N. Botha (S) , Mr. BM Mothudi (A), Mr. L. Naicker (A) , Dr. A. du Plessis (Upgrade to O) (f) Upgraded to Emeritus: MR. SP CARSWELL (joined 1984/02), PROF HC SNYMAN (joined 1971/09), PROF AT DAVIDSON (joined 197807), PROF DS MCLACHLAN (joined 1969/09), MR GF DE VRIES (joined 1961/10) 3. Nominations for the Silver Jubilee Medal for 2007 (W.D. Heiss, dieter@physics.sun.ac.za ). Nominations for the Silver Jubilee Medal for 2007 are now open. This award is made to a scientist, younger than 35 years old on the closing date. The closing date for nominations is 23h59 on 28 February 2007. Criteria for the award may be viewed at http://www.saip.org.za/AwardsSilver.html . 4. Department Information (J. Padayachee : secretary@saip.org.za ) As discussed at the recent meeting of Heads of Departments, the following information should be submitted to the Secretary: (a) Summary of activities in the department (see http://www.saip.org.za/departments/uct.html for an example) (b) Name of department representative (c) Name of representative for Women in Physics activities (d) List of equipment in department with names of people responsible for the equipment. 5. Workshop on Economic Development for Physicists in Developing Countries, Trieste, Italy, 27 November - 1 December 2006 (Dr. Peter Melville, Peter.Melville@iop.org) At the World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development in Durban last year it was agreed to run a workshop on Economic Development for physicists in developing countries. This will be held at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, from 27 November - 1 December 2006. Registration information and a provisional programme can be downloaded from http://www.saip.org.za/OtherConferences.html . 6. "Physics: A World in Motion" DVD (Richard Stewart, rse@global.co.za ) A South African educational video/dvd distributor has announced the launch of a 47-episode physics series entitled "Physics: A World in Motion," which comes from the Discovery "stable in America". You can obtain full details of how to order viewing copies to view without obligation by emailing Richard Stewart at rse@global.co.za or phoning him on 011 435 8823 or 084 504 8367. Here is a brief synopsis: Historical discovery, on-location investigation and laboratory experiments are used to present the phenomenal world of physics in a real-life context that students can relate to and easily understand. The development of pertinent physical concepts moves from concrete examples to theoretical explanations requiring abstract models. Students are encouraged to apply a variety of strategies to problems and issues requiring qualitative and/or quantitative solutions. The pervasive nature of the themes - change, diversity, energy, equilibrium, matter and systems - in all science disciplines is identified clearly throughout this series of forty-seven programmes separated into twelve clusters. The nature of science is made explicit by emphasising the recurring ideas within the course of studies, and the connections among science, technology and society, fostering an appreciation for the influence of physics in our everyday lives. 7. Essay Competition (Mark Horner, fhsst-admin-priv@fhsst.org ) Write about how you apply simple scientific principles in your job to stand a chance to win up to R5000. Details are available from: http://www.fhsst.org/?q=node/6874 8. 51st SAIP Annual Conference, UWC, July 2006 (Chris Theron - ctheron@tlabs.ac.za , Reggie Madjoe - rmadjoe@uwc.ac.za ) The 51st Annual Conference of the SAIP was held at U. Western Cape from 4 to 7 July 2006. There were four host institutions: the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, iThemba LABS, the South African Astronomical Observatory and the Unversity of the Western Cape. Prof. Madjoe recommended co-hosting the conference as the burden was not carried by one department. The conference was held over four days, with 20 minute-presentation slots. There were 498 registered delegates, of which 294 were students. There were 4 exhibitors, 14 teachers and 17 learners. Three winter schools were held on Monday, 3 July 2006: Space Science at HMO (thanks to B. Opperman), Nuclear Physics at iThemba LABS (thanks to J. Lawrie) and Solid State Physics at UWC (thanks to D. Adams and R. Nemutudi). The NLC Users Group meeting was also held on 3 July at UWC. It was difficult finding a venue to accommodate 500 people for the Plenary day. The plenary day was poorly attended (about 300 delegates). Prof. Madjoe expressed his thanks to the plenary speakers and to Prof. P. Whitelock. Thanks also to: Dr. P. Mjwara for attending the opening function, the City of Cape Town, especially Mayor Zille for the Mayoral reception, Dr. M. Bruton and the MTN ScienCentre, the Department of Science and Technology for funding, Ms. N. Haasbroek and her team for administrative support, Dr. P. Martinez, Mr. C. Rijsdijk. (C) A letter from the Treasurer Japie Engelbrecht : Japie.Engelbrecht@nmmu.ac.za Dear Members of the SAIP, thank you for those of you who have paid your dues, AND who have informed me of such payment, particularly if you deposited the money straight into the SAIP bank account. However, I am still sitting with a large number of deposits by persons who have NOT informed me. While I am trying to extract the information from depositors such as "UWC", "HMO" and others, it is someone called "Foundation" that really has me stumped. Please help relieve the stress I am experiencing by sending me an email (Japie.Engelbrecht@nmmu.ac.za ) or a fax to (041) 504 2573 when you deposit money into the SAIP bank account. Most sincerely, your (honorary) Treasurer : (Prof) Japie Engelbrecht" (D) South African Space Agency Peter Martinez : peter@saao.ac.za Following the Cabinet decision, the South African Space Agency has been established. You may find out more about this at the SA Space Portal (www.space.gov.za). This development has important consequences (and possibilities) for the SA physics community. Please direct al your questions to Peter@saao.ac.za (E) Opportunities for Students and Postdoc fellows A.M. Strydom : ams@na.rau.ac.za MSc and PhD studentships as well as Post-Doctoral Fellowships in the Physics Department, University of Johannesburg: Exciting study opportunities are available for students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies in Experimental Physics. The research projects are focussed on measurements and interpretation of physical properties (including electrical resistivity and magnetotransport, thermal conductivity, thermo-electric power, heat capacity, and magnetization and magnetic susceptibility) at very low temperatures and high magnetic fields. The research topics are centred on the Physics of Strongly Correlated Electron Systems, and involve modern problems in Physics such as Magnetic Instabilities in Condensed Matter, Quantum Criticality, and Thermoelectric properties of f-Electron systems. The research programme is conducted in collaboration with research groups in Germany and Austria. (F) Vacation jobs in the Nuclear Physics Group, iThemba LABS Elena Lawrie : elena@tlabs.ac.za The vacation scholar programme in Nuclear Physics Group provides the university level students (usually third year to Honours level) with an opportunity to gain experience doing research in experimental nuclear physics. Each year scholars are appointed for about two months in December-January holidays. They are offered individual projects in nuclear physics and hands-on experience with sophisticated nuclear physics equipment. The deadline for applications for the summer vacation jobs is 1 October. For more information please contact Dr. Elena Lawrie (not in office between 14/08 and 31/08), at elena@tlabs.ac.za or Mandy Raman at mandy@tlabs.ac.za (G) Prof. Pieter Stoker, former president of the SAIF, has been accepted as a member of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) Gold Club. Marius S. Potgieter : fskmsp@puk.ac.za This club forms an important part of the 2007 activities of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY 2007) with the purpose to preserve the history and memory of IGY 1957. The "IGY Gold" History initiative has several goals: identifying and recognizing planners of and participants in the first IGY, preserving memoirs, articles, photographs, and all items of historical significance for the IGY, making these items available to historians, researchers, etc., serving as a contact service for these activities, spreading awareness of the history of geophysics, and planning special events and "reunions." The IGY "Gold" Club identifies participants from the first IGY (gold symbolizing the 50th anniversary). To join the Gold Club, a person must meet three requirements: He/she must have been a participant in the first IGY, must contribute an item of historical significance to the initiative (it can be a letter, a recollection, an article, a photograph, etc.) and must be willing to have that item made publicly available to historians, librarians, and other people interested in investigating and preserving the history of geophysics. For more information see the website: http:// ihy2007.org/ Prof. Stoker will be rewarded with a special "IGY Gold Anniversary" certificate of recognition from the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and a special commemorative "IGY Gold" lapel pin. The "IGY Gold" commemorative lapel pin has been specially designed for the 50th anniversary of IGY and only members of the IGY Gold club will be issued this pin. The certificate and lapel pin will be presented to him in November 2006 by the South African IHY representative, Prof. Marius Potgieter of the School of Physics, North-West University, Potchefstroom. (H) Conference/Symposium announcements : (i) National Astronomy Symposium MJH Hoffman : HoffmaMJ.SCI@mail.uovs.ac.za The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa is having their 7th Symposium at Boyden Observatory, Bloemfontein. The event is organised by the Bloemfontein branch of ASSA, in association with Boyden Observatory which is associated with the Department of Physics, University of the Free State. Registration is open to all. The Symposium affords interested persons the rare opportunity to get behind the scenes of Southern African astronomy and attend talks by speakers such as Dr. Phil Charles (SAAO), Dr. Adrian Tiplady (SKA/KAT), Dr. Patrick Seitzer (University of Michigan, USA), Prof. David Block (WITS) and Tim Cooper (ASSA). An exciting program awaits participants. Various demonstrations and presentations relating to some of the latest developments in amateur astronomy will be presented. The symposium will include an "astronomy presentation workshop" to launch a national astronomy presentation competition. A customized tour of the Boyden Observatory facilities will also be given and participants can see astrophysical research in action when they are shown one of the three large operational optical telescopes in Africa. Join professional and amateur astronomers from all over the country on the Friday evening for a special dinner to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Friends of Boyden, to be held at Kopano Nokeng Country Lodge near Boyden. Website with application form and full details: www.assabfn.co.za/symposium2006 Contact: Gerrit Penning, cell: 084 429 9080 / mail@assabfn.co.za (ii) SAASTEC CONFERENCE Derek Fish : thefish@iafrica.com The 9th annual conference of the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres will take place from 29 Nov to 1 Dec at Unizul Science Centre in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. Registration forms and further details can be downloaded from www.saastec.co.za Or contact Derek Fish on 0824528566 for more information. (iii) 16th International conference on radionuclide metrology and its application. Bruce Simpson : BSimpson@csir.co.za The CSIR National Metrology Laboratory (CSIR NML) will be hosting the 16th international conference on Radionuclide Metrology and its Applications (ICRM 2007) in Cape Town during 3 to 7 September 2007, being held under the auspices of the International Committee for Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM). The ICRM 2007 website will be available for additional information shortly. The First Announcement and Call for Papers can be requested from Freda van Wyngaardt (fvwyngaardt@csir.co.za ). ( I ) Call for project proposals Trevor Derry : derryT@physics.wits.ac.za Refurbishment at iThemba LABS (Gauteng) (former Schonland Research Institute) - call for project proposals Since the takeover of the lab by the NRF under iThemba LABS last year, work on upgrading the 6MV Tandem van der Graaff accelerator and its beamlines has been proceeding steadily. The Ion Implanter has also received some much-needed repairs and is operating. Plans to add Accelerator Mass Spectrometry to the Tandem are being developed. The idea is that the other small accelerators in the Gauteng region, at Pretoria University and NECSA, or even at iThemba South, will be made available for those projects for which they are most suitable, forming a collective of research laboratories. There was additional information at the SAIP Conference last month. The 5-year Plan for iThemba LABS, including iTLa(G), has to be finalized in August, and I'd like to ask all potential users to supply information about projects that they may be considering. This can be done (urgently please!) through me, or directly to the iThemba management (kbr@tlabs.ac.za or machi@tlabs.ac.za). Some information about planned timelines, students and outcomes will be needed. It will be particularly effective to have some start-up projects for early testing of the Tandem and its support systems by prospective users, who would benefit by helping to develop the facilities they want. Full operation is scheduled for February 2007. A mailing-list for the User Group has been set up at http://silence.tlabs.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/usernorth for the interactive discussion of possible projects. Please join this if you may be interested in using the facilities, and encourage other researchers to join if their work may make them possible users. We want to reach as many people in as many fields as possible.