Friday

The CUWiP conference was kicked off with an exciting start which included tours of Argonne, Fermilab, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Sadie represented Augsburg on the tour of Fermilab where she learned all about neutrinos and the Tevatron. Emma, Sam, Krista, and I went to Argonne and went on six mini tours: TCS, ATLAS, Nuclear Reactors, Argonne Wakefield Accelerator, APS, and transportation. Unfortunately, the national lab tours were full and Jillian and Kayla were not able to attend. However, they decided to seize the day and had a wonderful time exploring the Museum of Science and Industry. See previous posts for more information and pictures about the tours.

In the summer of 2012, I had an internship at Argonne working on the NOvA neutrino project. I chose to go back because I wanted to learn more about other research projects at the lab and because I miss working there. While working there I loved attending all of the interesting seminars, interacting with all of the researchers, and exploring the campus. Argonne is a very large lab, so large it has its own post office, fire department, and zip code. During our tours we had to take a bus to get from place to place and in the warmer months there are bikes available for researchers to use to travel around the campus. It has research projects in all different disciplines from high energy physics to biology. 

A few of the places we toured I had already seen, some had new aspects that were not there two years ago, and some were completely new. My favorite tour was of the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator because the concepts were really well explained, it was very hands on, and I had never seen it before. The Wakefield Accelerator is unlike any other accelerators at Argonne because it was built to test the accelerator design instead of being built as a tool used to research. I also liked it because in order to get there we had to drive by the building I worked in!

--Elianna Bier

SWAG

- Kayla Washenberger and Sadie Tetrick

Argonne - APS

Argonne's Advance Photon Source (APS) is a synchrotron that creates the brightest x-rays in this hemisphere. The synchrotron run for 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, and people come from all around the world to use the APS for their experiments.

This is a to scale diagram of the beamline.

This chart shows what type of experiments are preformed. Each color represents a different discipline in science creating a rainbow-colored ring.

This is a look down onto the research floor. Behind the wall on the far side is where the accelerator actually lies. You can see the curvature of the storage ring which is not a true ring, but rather a polygon with a large number of sides.

The ring is over a mile around, so there are tricycles available for faster travel and transport of equipment.

A look into a hutch where experiments are preformed.

A bird's eye view. The large white ring around is the storage ring, the straight white building houses the linear accelerator, and the slightly raised ring of dirt below the linear accelerator is the booster/injector.

Argonne - Wakefield Accelorator

The Argonne Wakefield Accelerator is an accelerator currently in development that uses constructive interference to increase power. The theory behind it can be equated to a boat's acceleration when it rides in another boat's wake, except the boats are electrons and the waves are electromagnetic waves.

Various components used in the accelerator. The quadrupole looks very familiar to some of us (Emma and Elianna) after our instrumental class last semester. The last little tube is what makes this accelerator so special.

Here you can see the the drive beam which acts as the "first boat" and produces the initial EM waves that a second beam, the witness beam, can ride on. If everything works correctly the witness beam will be accelerated. This technology could greatly reduce the length of beamlines and therefore reduce some of the current barriers in accelerator physics.

Argonne - Nuclear Reactors

Did you know that every reactor type that has ever successfully produced electrical energy was either invented or developed at Argonne? Just one of the neat facts we learned on our tour at Argonne.

A model of CP-1, the first nuclear reactor

I, Elianna, got to touch a piece of graphite from CP-1.

Argonne - ATLAS

The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is a world-renowned center for cutting edge research in nuclear physics. A large component of the research done at ATLAS deals with rare isotopes.

This is an example of the niobium superconducting RF cavities used to accelerate particles. These cavities are cooled to 4.2 Kelvin or -452 F.

This new gamma ray detector is still under construction.

Do you recognize this gamma ray detector? It was used in the first Hulk movie!

A nice view of the beamline.

Fermilab Tour

For the first day at the conference, we had the opportunity to go on a lab tour of our choice. I, Sadie Tetrick, chose to go to the Fermilab tour. The main idea of Fermilab is "by building some of the largest and most complex machines in the world, Fermilab scientists expand humankind's understanding of matter, energy, space, and time, capturing imaginations and inspiring future generations". The tour consisted of visits to their nearby particle accelerator, the Tevatron, and I also got to see the MINOS and NOvA near detectors.

These are pictures of the RFQ at Fermilab. The RFQ system performs the same function as the Cockcroft-Walton generators but in a much smaller space. The Cockcroft-Walton generators provided beam to the lab's accelerators for over 40 years.

This is a picture of Linac, which is a H- (negative hydrogen) particle accelerator. It consists of 16,000 superconducting cavities and is about 20 miles in length. One of the main uses of the Linac is superconducting RF material research, which plays a role in testing and understanding the failures of certain materials. I also learned that Fermilab is big on treating cancer with neutron therapy. I was able to actually see the device that they currently use for this treatment. There were even before and after pictures of patients who treated their tumors with this process. 

These are various pictures of the particle accelerator, the Tevatron. This device was used to accelerate high energy particles, in particular protons (and in the past, anti-protons). The LHC has now taken over in the world-leading location for high energy particle acceleration. This is the reason why the Tevatron was currently not in use.

This is a picture of NOvA. It consists of lots of layers of a plastic material bunched together. The picture only shows a small portion of the entire thing.

 This is the entrance to the MINOS and NOvA near detectors. It is very far underground and we had to take a long elevator shaft ride to get access to the area.

These last pictures are all of the MINOS and NOvA detectors which detect the neutrinos produced by the accelerators. There were many wires and it was a very large detector. These neutrino projects both have larger far detectors located in northern Minnesota. I do not remember the exact numbers but there were a lot of neutrinos being sent to the Minnesota every second. The main goal of the detectors is to observe the oscillations of neutrinos and further explore their properties.

-Sadie Tetrick

Argonne - TCS

The Theory and Computing Science building at Argonne is home to MIRA, the fastest computer available for open source science, and some amazing architecture.

Here are a few interesting facts about MIRA:

• It is the 5th fastest computer in the world
• It has a computing power equivalent to 48,000 desktop computers
• Anyone, including undergraduates, can submit a project proposal to request time on MIRA

The bottom floor of the TCS building is a zen garden. The architect believed that the random but geometric design fostered productivity and creativity. Also all of the offices on the back side of the building had balconies that overlooked the forest. Who wouldn't want to work there?

One research project at TCS examined how to enhance communication and collaboration on research projects through technology. This display worked a lot like a touch screen and was interactive. The map was of a real mountain and water was formed wherever you touched.

Adventures at the Museum of Science and Industry

Today we went to the Museum of Science and Industry and visited the U-505 exhibit. This submarine was used by the German Navy during WWII. On June 4, 1944, the American forces used depth charge attacks on the submarine, jamming the rudders and causing the submarine to descend farther down into the sea. Since the pressure at depths past 755 feet would crush the submarine, Captain Herald Lange was forced to surface the submarine. When the Americans began to attack at the surface, Lange decided to try to sink the ship by flooding it. American Captain Daniel V. Gallery and his men boarded the submarine and successfully prevented it from sinking, thus successfully capturing the ship. The U-505 was donated to Chicago by the United States Navy in 1954 and has been exhibited in the museum ever since.

 U-505 Submarine

- Jillian and Kayla

Introductions

There are seven Augsburg undergraduate physicists attending this conference and we would like to tell you a bit about ourselves.

Elianna Bier:

I am a senior physics and chemistry double major as well as the self-elected leader of the Augsburg Women in Physics. I want to obtain my Ph.D. in medical physics, have applied to several schools, and have a few graduate school visits planned for the upcoming months. I am also on the swim team at Augsburg and specialize in the 100 and 200 yd backstroke. Although I had an internship at Argonne National Laboratory in the summer of 2012, I am really excited to go back for a tour and learn more about the current research.

Emma Capman:

I am a senior physics major. Over the past few years I've worked in the space physics lab with Mark Engebretson and have presented posters at two conferences. This summer I went to the University of Maryland, College Park for an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) in miniature robotics. I am considering graduate school and careers in mechanical engineering, materials science, and physics. I'm excited to learn more about careers at this conference. I am heavily involved in the theater department at Augsburg, working in the scene shop, as well as designing sets, lights, and sound for a couple productions.

Jillian Hommerding:

I'm a senior physics major. After graduation, I plan to work in the industry for 1 year before going to graduate school for mechanical engineering. My ultimate goal is to work in the automotive industry, preferably for Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, Germany.  I am excited for the opportunity to attend this conference. At this conference, I am looking forward to seeing presentations in space physics. 

Sadie Tetrick:

I am a sophomore physics and mathematics double major. I would like to continue in physics in my future by attending graduate school. I enjoy shopping and long walks on the beach. I also tutor mathematics at Augsburg College and volunteer at my local high school tutoring students. I am really excited to meet more professional women in physics and gain more knowledge about what I can do with a physics degree.

Kayla Washenberger:

I am a sophomore physics major with a possible double major in chemistry. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I hope this conference gives me some ideas. Recently, I have been working with Professor Murr on a project involving electromagnetic fields in and around cars. I enjoy playing with my ferrets and long walks on the beach with Sadie. I can't wait to learn more about jobs revolving around physics and all the women who are involved.

Sam Swanson:

I am a first year physics and finance double major. In the future I would like to attend graduate school and eventually find a job in industry. When I am not working on physics problems, I enjoy playing golf on the Augsburg golf team and snowmobiling. I also have a secret passion for moose of all things. I am excited to learn about different physics careers and hope the conference will introduce me to new paths I can follow as a physicist.

Krista Kingsley:

I am a first year physics and mathematics double major. I hope to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota and eventually work for the government. I also aspire to one day obtain my pilot's licence so I can travel to Canada at my leisure. This conference will hopefully give me more ideas for what I could do with my physics degree and help me meet other women in the field.

And We're Off

Leaving for the airport.

We arrived to find that our flight is only 1 hour and 10 minutes delayed. Oh well, more time for blogging.

A Conference In the Making

It has been almost four months since I got an email from Professor Stottrup inquiring if I was interested in attending CUWiP, and it didn't take long for me to reply that I wanted to go. The next day he asked me if I wanted to advertise this conference to other female physics majors and organize our attendance. I agreed and quickly started tracking people down and everyone seemed eager to attend. With this excitement, the Augsburg Women in Physics group was created. We held a few informal meeting to get to know each other and discuss the conference. These were all successful and were a great opportunity to form bonds between female first years and upperclassmen in a major that is male dominated.

Acceptance to the conference was not guaranteed because they often have more applicants than space. We all filled out our applications which included a 200 word essay on why we wanted to attend and the impact it would have on us, and waited for an answer. In early December, we received our acceptances and booked our airline tickets. One of the things that makes this conference special is that the conference provides all of the lodging and meals which greatly reduces the cost of participation. As for travel, we give a big thank you to the Augsburg physics department for funding us and thus making the conference cost free to the Augsburg attendees.

This conference is especially important to us because there are currently no female physics professors at Augsburg. This is an amazing chance to interact with successful female physicists, interact with peers from across the Midwest, and hear about current research. I am thrilled to be attending this conference with the other Augsburg Women in Physics and sharing in the excitement, and experience this conference will provide.

--Elianna Bier

2014 Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP)

The time has almost arrived! The Augsburg Women in Physics leave tomorrow afternoon to attend the CUWiP in Chicago. The conference has a lot to offer from a tour of Argonne National Laboratory or Fermilab to Keynote speakers in various fields of physics and everything has a special emphasis placed on encouraging women in physics. The full conference schedule can be seen below and we will provide daily updates on our experiences.

Program

Thursday, January 16th
5:00pm - 9:00pm	Check-in/Registration (dinner on your own)
7:00pm - 9:00pm	Reception at International House with appetizers and liquid nitrogen ice cream
Friday, January 17th
8:00am - 8:45am	Breakfast at your hotel
	Students will take either the Fermilab or Argonne Tour Buses leave promptly at 9:00am
	Fermilab Tour	Argonne Tour
9:00am - 10:30am	Travel from hotel to Fermilab	Travel from hotel to Argonne
10:30am - 12:30pm	Tour of Fermilab	Tour of Argonne
12:30pm - 2:00pm	Lunch at Fermilab with women scientists and engineers from Fermilab and local companies	Lunch at Argonne with women scientists and engineers from Argonne and local companies
2:00pm - 4:00pm	Continue tour of Fermilab	Continue tour of Argonne
4:00pm - 6:30pm	Travel from Fermilab to I-House	Travel from Argonne to I-House
5:00pm - 6:15pm	Check-in/Registration for people not attending tour
6:30pm - 8:30pm	Buffet dinner at I-House
7:15pm - 7:25pm	Welcome from Tom Rosenbaum, Provost
7:25pm - 7:35pm	Welcome from Rocky Kolb, Dean of Physical Sciences
7:35pm - 7:45pm	Welcome from Savannah Thais, Undergraduate Committee Member
7:45pm - 8:30pm	Willetta Greene-Johnson, Loyola University
Saturday, January 18th
8:00am - 8:30am	Check-in/Registration
8:30am - 9:15am	Networking breakfast at International House(breakfast buffet)
9:15am - 10:00am	Anastasia Belozertseva, ThoughtWorks, Inc. Emily Casey, ThoughtWorks, Inc.
10:00am - 10:30am	Break
10:30am - 11:15am	Susan Coppersmith, University of Wisconsin, Madison
11:15am - 12:15pm	Undergraduate Research Panel Kaitlyn Lee, Undergraduate Cacey Stevens, REU Coordinator Carol Thompson, Undergraduate Mentor
12:15pm - 1:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm - 2:30pm	Keynote Speaker: Debra Fischer, Yale - Broadcast from Penn State conference site
2:30pm - 4:00pm	Undergraduate poster session
4:30pm - 6:00pm	Lab tours (UChicago research groups)
7:00pm - 8:00pm	Banquet dinner
8:00pm - 8:05pm	Opening remarks from Young-Kee Kim, The University of Chicago
8:05pm - 8:10pm	Remarks from past APS President, Michael Turner, The University of Chicago
8:10pm - 8:15pm	Present poster awards
8:15pm - 9:00pm	Evalyn Gates, Cleveland Museum
Sunday, January 19th
7:00am - 8:00am	Breakfast at your hotel
8:30am - 9:30am	Career panel Grace Wolf-Chase, Adler Planatarium Ellen Martinsek, Jones College Prep High School Erin Abouzaid, Stony Brook Foundation Monica Plisch, American Physical Society Kawtar Hafidi, Argonne National Laboratory
9:30am - 10:15am	Cecilia Gerber, University of Illinois at Chicago
10:15am - 10:45am	Break
10:45am - 11:30am	Michelle Larson, Adler Planetarium
11:30am - 12:30pm	Parallel Discussion Sessions Research as a Graduate Student Applying to Graduate School Nicole Fields UChicago Graduate Student Natalie Krzyzanowski Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, Graduate Student Lisa Nash UChicago Graduate Student Stuart Gazes Undergraduate Chair, Physics Jobs/Networking Joseph Bernstein Associate Director, Career Advancement
12:30pm - 2:00pm	Lunch
2:00pm - 2:45pm	Heather Whitney, Wheaton College
2:45pm - 2:50pm	Closing remarks, Young-Kee Kim, The University of Chicago
3:00pm - 4:00pm	Writing workshop, Tracy Weiner, UC Writing Program