More than two dozen researchers with ties to the West Virginia University Department of Physics and Astronomy have helped unearth evidence of ripples in space time that have never been observed before.
Subhasish Mandal, assistant professor in condensed matter physics, recently earned the funding from the DoD’s Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research with the long-term goal of enhancing quantum devices to operate at favorable temperature conditions. Currently, devices can run only in very cold conditions.
The Shaw Prize is an international award to honor individuals who have recently achieved distinguished and significant advances in the fields of Astronomy, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Awardees are those who have made outstanding contributions in academic and scientific research or applications, or who in other domains have achieved excellence. The award is dedicated to furthering societal progress, enhancing quality of life, and enriching humanity's spiritual civilization.
Three exceptional faculty members at WVU have been named 2022-23 Benedum Distinguished Scholars in recognition of the high caliber of their research and scholarly activity.
Each spring, West Virginia University recognizes selected faculty members for their exceptional and innovative teaching. This year, the 2023 WVU Foundation Awards for Outstanding Teaching honor three faculty members:
Satellites and spacecraft are running on empty due to a worldwide shortage of traditional propulsion fuels. In response, two West Virginia University
researchers are seeking alternative ways of powering the thrusters that
keep satellites in orbit and could potentially drive deep space
vessels.
Mikel Holcomb, associate professor in the Eberly College Department of Physics and Astronomy, said she expects her team's research into photon detector technologies to influence NASA missions, including the possible 2030 launch of the far-IR Probe as well as the development of technology for the Great Observatories — four observatories, floating in space, that conduct astronomical studies over visible, gamma-ray, X-ray and infrared wavelengths.
