Research Groups, Laboratories and Centers - Cloned

The Climate and Radiation Group (CARG) is being developed as a core research component in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Howard University Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS). CARG was a key participant in the NASA-funded Center for the Study of Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Atmospheres (CSTEA) and is currently involved in the NOAA-Howard University Cooperative Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) and the NASA URC Beltsville Center for Climate System Observation (BCCSO). CARG’s overall research goal is to investigate unresolved questions in climate change and its impact on society. CARG is particularly interested in engaging in research that contributes: To an improved understanding of the the role of clouds and the H2O cycle in climate through the development and application of climate models and innovative techniques in remote sensing: To understanding the impact of climate on public health. A central priority in CARG’s research endeavor is student training – particularly preparing students from traditionally underrepresented groups for effective and successful careers in atmospheric physics or related fields.

The Computational Physics Laboratory headed by Professor James Lindesay has a strong history of producing graduates at all levels, including the doctorate. Computational physics projects have included: relativistic scattering, black hole formation, atmospheric waves and oscillations, DNA sequencing, cellular electroporation, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetic scattering from rough surfaces. Members of computational physics group have used standard professional software packages, as well as designed special customized codes for specific applications.

The Computational Simulations in Condensed Matter Group led by Dr. Silvina Gatica focuses on applying molecular simulation techniques, such as Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics, along with Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics, to study physical adsorption in nano-porous materials. These nano-scale studies are designed to investigate the properties of the adsorbed matter and to assess materials for specific applications, such as gas storage and gas separation.

The CMMP Laboratary focuses on research relating to polymers, nano-particles and gels, with special emphasis on phase behavior and assembly, nano-composites, metamaterials, OLEDs, liquid and soft photonic crystals.

The focus of the Laser Spectroscopy research group is on the study of chemical intermediates that are of relevance to combustion and plasma phenomena. The areas of investigation comprise: (1) Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a supersonic jet; (2) Laser optogalvanic spectroscopy associated with discharge processes; (3) Laser-mediated release of dyes and drugs from liposomes; (4) Solid state laser technology development in the ultraviolet; (5) Radiation dosimetry; and (6) Development of organic contaminant spectral library for space missions.

The Magnetics Laboratory does experimental condensed matter research that focuses on magnetism, solid state physics, thermo-electro mechanics,and energy systems analysis of the physics of working fluids.

The Solid State Physics Laboratory spearheaded does experimental condensed matter research relating to: magnetic, optical, electrical, and structural properties of materials; as well as sample preparation and experimental studies of magnetic alloys and glasses, optical materials, superconducting materials, and spin glass systems.

Research activities include general assumptions about the physical spacetime in superstring models, Conifolds, supersymmetry, and the measurement conundrum. Some of collaborations include: (1) “Supersymmetry”, with C. Doran (U.Washington; Mathematics), M. Faux (SUNY; Physics), S. J. Gates, Jr. (UMD; Physics), K. Iga (Pepperdine U.; Mathematics), G. Landweber (U.Oregon; math).

On-line publications at http://arXiv.org,math-ph/0512016 and math-ph/0603012.