The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Michelle Espy of Los Alamos Scientific Lab on “Applications of SQUIDs: from brains to bombs” on Friday, Feb. 21, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Abstract: This talk will present an overview of applications of the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) for the detection of ultra-weak magnetic fields of biological and non-biological origin. The SQUID is arguably the most sensitive magnetic flux detector, capable of detecting magnetic fields nine orders of magnitude smaller than the magnetic field of the earth. SQUIDs are sensitive enough to detect the magnetic field from neurons firing in the brain from outside the head. I will present some background on how SQUIDs work, including a discussion of Weinstock’s Law, that is, “Never use a SQUID unless you have to”. I will describe specific applications to functional brain imaging, detection of the magnetic resonance signature of nuclei at very weak (even zero) magnetic fields, and how this technique can be used for both imaging and detection of explosives or other materials of interest.
Upcoming Spring 2014 Events
Colloquia are held in the Walter Hall, Room 245, on Fridays at 4:10 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
John Wikswo of Vanderbilt University on “A Physicist’s Perspective on the Complexity of Biology” on Friday, Feb. 28, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
TBA on Friday, March 14, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Serge Nakhmanson of the University of Connecticut on “Computational Design of Multifunctional Complex-oxide Materials Across Length Scales” on Friday, March 21, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Maxim Pospelov of the University of Waterlooon “Constraining the Dark Sector with BBN and CMB physics” on Friday, March 28, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Jennifer Dionne of Stanford University on “Visualizing chemical reactions and light-matter interactions with nanometer-scale resolution” on Friday, April 4, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Robert Austin of Princeton University on “Nonlinear Dynamics” on Friday, April 11, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Nick Wu of the West Virginia University on “Plasmon-Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting” on Friday, April 18, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Departmental Awards Gathering on Friday, April 25, at 4:10 p.m. in Walter 245.
Comments