Physics Department News

It is important to understand the fundamental physics of rare-earth transition-metal magnets, which are used in much of today’s technology, so that new materials can be identified which will reduce our dependence on the economically-volatile and environmentally-damaging rare earths. A recurring challenge is how to make the connection between what is measured in the lab, and what is happening in the material itself at the atomic level, i.e. the behaviour of individual electrons and nuclei. In this collaborative work [C E Patrick, S Kumar et al., Phys. Rev. Materials 1, 02411 (2017)] between theorists and experimentalists based at Warwick and STFC Daresbury, we use “first-principles” computational modelling to explain experimental measurements on the magnetic materials YCo₅ and GdCo₅.

Year 12 students enjoyed an interactive workshop at Warwick’s residential Summer School on July 13^th. Feedback on “Levitate”, a workshop exploring superconductors and magnetism, included:

“The physics session was really interesting. The lecturers were engaging and I enjoyed working with liquid nitrogen.”

“My favourite was superconductivity because I have always wanted to handle liquid nitrogen and it was very engaging.”

“The best session was the physics one. I like the practical aspect of handling liquid nitrogen and the teachers were really engaging.”

“The liquid nitrogen session was the best session I attended at any universities!”

“The liquid nitrogen session inspired me into trying something new and I now want to do Physics at University.”

Many thanks to:

Paul Goddard
Robert Williams
Clement Mawby
Kathrin Götze
Greg Brown
Matthew Pearce
Daniel Mayoh
Sue Burrows
Ally Caldecote

Rachel Edwards, Associate Professor (Reader) in the Physics department, was the winner of the Public Engagement University Award. She writes about her work and what winning this award means for her and the department.

On Wednesday 14th June the Physics Department welcomed 29 lower sixth students to the department to award them prizes. All Coventry and Warwickshire schools were invited to nominate their best student who was then presented with their prize by Professor David Leadley, head of physics.

The students enjoyed a variety of interactive demonstrations by members of the Physics Department followed by a lecture from Dr Rachel Edwards on her research.

Ally Caldecote, organiser said "It is a pleasure to award these prizes which recognise the hard work of the students across Coventry and Warwickshire. As a department who love and appreciate physics it is a delight to see the up-and-coming talent in the area."