• Nominations for positions in the AIP National Executive open until 21 Aug 2022
• Nominations for the 2023 Women in Physics Lecturer re-opened until 16 Sep 2022

AIP National Executive

Help lead Australia’s premier society for the promotion of physics in research, education, industry and the community by joining the AIP National Executive team.

Every two years the AIP elects a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar. Any financial Member, Fellow or Honorary Fellow can be nominated for these positions.

If you’d like to submit a nomination, it should be accompanied by signed endorsements from two financial Members, Fellows or Honorary Fellows, as well as a letter of consent from the nominee.

Note that under the institute’s constitution, the current president and vice president cannot seek re-election for the same position.

To nominate, please send the documents via email to aip@aip.org.au, or by mail to AIP, PO Box 480, West Ryde, NSW 1685, Australia.

The current Executive has put forward the following nominations:

• Nicole Bell (as President)
• Stuart Midgely (as Vice-President)
• Kirrily Rule (as Honorary Secretary)
• Stephen Collins (as Honorary Registrar)
• Dongchen Qi (as Honorary Treasurer)
• Joanna Turner (as Awards Officer)

If there are further nominations*, elections will be held in October. The new Executive will take office at the Annual General Meeting of the AIP in February next year.

*Nominations are now closed as of 1 Sep.

2023 Women in Physics Lecturer

Nominating an outstanding female physicist who will increase public awareness of the possibilities offered by studying physics and inspire future physicists for the 2023 Women in Physics Lectureship.

You may nominate a colleague or yourself. Nominations close 16 Sep.

The Women in Physics Lectureship is made annually to recognise and publicise significant contributions by a woman to advancing a field of physics. The Lecturer will receive a medal, a certificate, one year membership of the AIP, and appropriate support to provide a lecture tour across Australia.

The lecture tour will include presentations suited to range of audiences, including to high school students, non-specialist audiences, and the physics community. 

• Eligibility criteria and how to nominate here.

Our current Women in Physics Lecturer is planetary scientist Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic (Curtin University).

• Read about A/Prof Miljkovic’s lecture tour ‘Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets’ here.
• Read about previous Lecturer Dr Ceri Brenner’s experience in an Australian Physics magazine article here (Page 10).

Family-friendly events at National Science Week

Bring your family to hear about meteorite impacts from our Women in Physics Lecturer Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic, begin your amateur astronomy journey by learning about what equipment you need, or hang out and chat about physics and other dark matters at the pub.

We’ve gathered a bunch physics-related events for you to enjoy:

Multiple locations

• National Quantum and Dark Matter Road Trip. Hear about the hunt for dark matter and present and future quantum technologies from a team of scientists and science communicators delivering presentations, hands-on activities and quizzes at schools and pubs throughout Australia. Multiple dates.  

ACT

•   Dark Matter in the Pub. Learn about mysterious dark matter by listening to eight short talks from astronomers, particle physicists, nuclear physicists, and engineers while you munch on snacks and enjoy a beverage. Sun 14 Aug.
• Rainbows in Science. Young LGBTQIA+ adults interested in science can meet and hear from LGBTQIA+ scientists and allies and experience a range of colourful STEMonstrations. Fri 19 Aug.

NSW

• Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern. Discover what Aboriginal astronomy can tell us about the night sky, hear about native flora in bush medicine, learn about sustainable living from more than 60,000 years of Indigenous culture, and more. Sat 20 Aug.
•  Physics in the Pub: Quantum Light, the Aurora and Prophecies. Enjoy physics comedy and quizzes over a pub grub and beer. Hosted by Dr Phil Dooley. Fri 26 Aug.

NT

• Sound of Silence – Karama Library , Casuarina Library and Darwin City Library. Little ones can explore vibrations, sound waves, and the physics behind sound when they play with unusual ‘instruments’ and sound makers. Wed 17 Aug.

QLD

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. Compete to create the longest optic fibre, use a laser cutter to cut your own key chains, make and use telescopes, and learn how glass and mirrors are made, at Yarrabilba State Secondary College.  Wed 17 Aug.
•  See Through Science. Budding scientists will have fun with hands-on activities and investigations that involve circuits, solar power, stargazing, and more.  Sat 20 Aug.

SA

• Introduction to Telescopes & Binoculars. Learn what beginner equipment you need for your first foray into astronomy and discover some of the mysteries of optics from astronomy educator Mary Adam. Wed 3 Aug.  
• Little Bang Hands-on Experiments at Port Pirie Library. The young and young at heart can get their hands dirty with experiments exploring magnetism, hydrodynamics, and more, as well as enjoy the futuristic exhibit ‘Bridge to Somewhere’. Mon 15 Aug.
• Phantastic Physics Show with Nitro Nat. Little ones can see eye-catching demonstrations that explore concepts about energy and forces. Sun 28 Aug.

TAS

•  Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets. Listen to what meteorite impacts tell us about the evolution of planets from our Women in Physics lecturer planetary scientist, Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic. Tues 9 Aug.

VIC

• Scientists Assemble – The science of superheroes from screen to laboratory. Join astrophysicist Professor Alan Duffy as he discusses the science in some of the best (and worst) films ever made. Mon 15 Aug.
• Girls in STEM Quantum Computing research workshop. Senior high school students can get help in preparing a research presentation about quantum computing for the upcoming Kids’ Conference Australia. Tue 16 Aug.
• Unlocking the Universe’s Secrets with The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Listen to astronomers from Swinburne University describe the first images taken by the JWST and the potential secrets of the universe they reveal. Fri 19 Aug.

WA

• LEGO Club – Balloon Car. Kids can craft a LEGO car that will be attached to a balloon, which will explore the concepts of force and motion. Mon 15 Aug.
• Glass: More than meets the eye festival. Families can observe our closest star with a purpose-build solar telescope, chat with astrophysicists at the Astro3D stall, create a baby image of the universe, and more. Sat 20 Aug.

Check the official National Science Week website to explore more science-related activities.

The AIP welcomes Education Minister Jason Clare’s statement that "delays and the political interference in the way competitive grants operate need to end”. We support the intended review into the role and governance of the Australian Research Council (ARC), the main research grants body in our country. We appreciate that the Minister acknowledges the concerns that we and the other professional bodies presented at the Senate hearing earlier this year, including that the ongoing issues damage our international reputation and creates difficulties in recruiting and maintaining staff.

• Read the Education Minister’s comments in his first speech to the university sector here.
• Read about AIP President Professor Sven Rogge’s advocacy for the independence of the ARC at the 9 Mar Senate inquiry here.

Emeritus Prof Anne Green FAIP and Prof Tanya Monro FAIP have been recognised with the highest recognition in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Warm congratulations to both.

A guiding star for females in physics

Emeritus Professor Anne Green AC FAIP was recognised for her ‘eminent service to science, particularly physics and astrophysics, as an educator and researcher, as a mentor to colleagues and students, and a role model to women’.

Prof Green was a trailblazer during her 50-year career, which included many ‘firsts’.

She was the first female PhD student in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney, where she also become the first female Head of Physics in 2007.  She was also one of the first female radio astronomers.

Much of her prolific career was dedicated to investigating the ecology and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy as well as studying supernovae.

The Anne Green Prize, named in her honour, is awarded annually by our cognate society, the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA), to a mid-career scientist for a significant advance or accomplishment in astronomy or a related field. 

Of her career success, Professor Green has said:

“I've had opportunities in my career that, in hindsight, I'm gobsmacked about, but every time I've been offered an opportunity, I've accepted the challenge. That's something I've always said to young scientists, particularly women, to take the challenge when it's offered.”

Lighting the way: First ever female Chief Defence Scientist

Professor Tanya Monro AC FAIP was honoured for her ‘eminent service to scientific and technological development, to research and innovation, to tertiary education, particularly in the field of photonics, and to professional organisations’.

Prof Monro’s work focuses on using light and optical fibres to create tools for research to help address health, environmental, industrial and defence challenges.

She is currently Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, heading up the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). She is the first woman to take on the role.

From 2008 to 2014, she was the inaugural Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, as well as of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Bio Photonics.

Prof Monro won the 1998 AIP Bragg Gold Medal for her PhD, which she completed at the University of Sydney.

“It's really important that we have women in senior roles visible as role models to girls and women making choices about what they want to do," Professor Monro says.

“I want to create an environment where people can contribute, no matter what diversity characteristic they bring. It's not just gender, it can be neurological diversity, it can be cultural diversity, and even age diversity.”

Photos: Anne Green – credit: ASA, Tanya Monro – credit DSTG.

As reported by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Quantum computing hardware specialists at UNSW have built a quantum processor in silicon to simulate an organic molecule with astounding precision.

A team of quantum computer physicists at UNSW Sydney have engineered a quantum processor at the atomic scale to simulate the behaviour of a small organic molecule, solving a challenge set some 60 years ago by theoretical physicist Richard Feynman.

The achievement, which occurred two years ahead of schedule, represents a major milestone in the race to build the world’s first quantum computer, and demonstrates the team’s ability to control the quantum states of electrons and atoms in silicon at an exquisite level not achieved before.

In a paper published today in the journal Nature, the researchers describe how they were able to mimic the structure and energy states of the organic compound polyacetylene– a repeating chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms distinguished by alternating single and double bonds of carbon.

Lead researcher and former Australian of the Year, Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, said the team at Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), one of UNSW’s most exciting start-ups, built a quantum integrated circuit comprising a chain of 10 quantum dots to simulate the precise location of atoms in the polyacetylene chain.

Prof Simmons was AIP’s 2000 Women in Physics Lecturer.

“If you go back to the 1950s, Richard Feynman said you can't understand how nature works unless you can build matter at the same length scale,” Professor Simmons said.

“And so that’s what we're doing, we're literally building it from the bottom up, where we are mimicking the polyacetylene molecule by putting atoms in silicon with the exact distances that represent the single and double carbon-carbon bonds.”

Read the full media release here.

Photo: An artist's impression of inside the quantum integrated circuit modelling the carbon chain. The simulated carbon atoms are in red, while the blue depicts electrons exchanged between them. Credit – SQC.

The AIP National Executive team met recently at ANSTO in Lucas Heights, Sydney, to discuss the strategic planning of the organisation, including exploring ethical banking options, advocacy efforts, and membership matters.

The agenda also included drafting a new diversity and inclusion statement for the organisation, to be added to the AIP website soon.

We are also excited about the two national AIP awards to be made available for the first time this year: the Women in Leadership Medal and the Physics Communication Award.

• Read more about these and other national AIP awards on offer here.

This was the first face-to-face meeting of the Executive team in almost three years owing to the pandemic.

The day meeting featured lunch with physicists from the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and Centre for Accelerator Science as well as a tour of the OPAL reactor with Dr Mark Ho.

“The OPAL pool top was a hive of activity during a reactor maintenance period, but alas, no Cherenkov radiation this time,” said our AIP National honorary secretary Kirrily Rule, who works at ANSTO as an instrument scientist.

• Learn about the OPAL reactor in this video featuring Kirrily.

Dr Ho, who is Vice President of the Australian Nuclear Association, recently gave a talk about the latest in advanced reactor designs at the Big Science of Gen IV Power Reactors event, co-hosted by the AIP NSW branch and others.

The National Executive team would also like to thank ANSTO CEO Mr Shaun Jenkinson for hosting us at the nandin Innovation Centre. The nandin centre is a thriving hub of science and tech entrepreneurs, graduates and start-ups who develop solutions to unmet challenges in our world.

The National Executive team meets quarterly, alternating between online meetings and in-person visits to universities and labs.  With the easing of travel restrictions, we are looking forward to visiting more members at their institutions.

Photo: The AIP National Executive team. Credit – Kirrily Rule.

From left to right – Jodie Bradby, Gerd Schröder-Turk, Stephan Rachel, Nicole Bell, Judith Pollard, Kirrily Rule, Tim van der Laan, Joanna Turner, Stephen Collins.

Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit in Sydney and Online, 20 - 22 July.

Do you have technology or ideas that could improve the effectiveness and resilience of the Australian Defence Force?

Or do you have a start-up with a ready-to-go innovation you want to pitch to the Department of Defence?

The Defence Science and Technology Group invite you to share your ideas with leaders in defence, academia, business and industry at the inaugural Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit.

The central theme of the summit is ‘resilience’ in our defence forces.

This is the ability and capacity for human-technical systems to adapt quickly to and recover from unexpected interference, disruption, adversity, or threats – and the innovations or new technology to help them do that.

“We want to hear from start-ups that have an idea or innovation that could enhance our defence force’s capabilities or help to keep our defence personnel safe,” says Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist.

“We are especially eager to build partnerships with those working with artificial intelligence and machine learning, biotechnology, cyber security, space, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and hardware and software development.”

The ADSTAR Summit will be held as a hybrid event – in-person at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, and Online, from 20 - 22 July.

For more information, full program and to register for the ADSTAR Summit and Start-Up Alley, visit the official site here.  

For information on partnership and exhibition opportunities, please email Niall Byrne for an introduction to the conference team at Think Business Events.

More about the ADSTAR Summit

The ADSTAR Summit’s program explores ideas, research and innovations through a science and technology conference, workshops, panel sessions, networking opportunities and an interactive exhibition floor.

Topics in the program include:

• AI–human interactions and trust-building
• developing more resilient people and teams in adverse conditions
• smarter sensor networks to monitor threats
• materials manufacturing in contested environments
• beyond GPS and satellites – the next navigation and surveillance technologies
• protecting space assets from harm

and more.

 

Australian and international speakers at the summit include:

Chief Scientific Advisor UK Ministry of Defence, Professor Dame Angela McLean

US Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Ms Heidi Shyu

Director NZ Defence Technology Agency, Dr David Galligan

Director of STELaRLab at Lockheed Martin Corporation, Dr Tony Lindsay

Head of Defence and National Security, Executive Director Ai Group Defence Council, Ms Kate Louis

First Assistant Secretary, Head Technology, Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce, Department of Defence, Dr Todd Mansell

Chief Executive Officer, Trusted Autonomous Systems, Professor Jason Scholz

US Director of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Dr Stefanie Tompkins

Director General Strategy and Planning – Air Force, Air Commodore Gretchen Fryar

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Cathy Foley

Join us for our first inaugural joint Presidents’ Dinner between the NSW branches of the AIP and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) in an evening of celebration, networking, and recognition.

2022 Annual AIP and RACI Presidents’ Dinner

Date: Friday 12 Aug

Venue: Concord Golf Club, 190 Majors Road, Concord

Our members and guests will be treated to a generous 3-course meal at a discounted* rate and a line-up of exceptional presenters, including:

• Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia’s Chief Scientist
• Dr Helen Cartledge, Director, The Maritime Autonomous & Remote Underwater Systems at Australian Government Department of Defence
• Dr Adam Martin, 2019/2020 Nyholm Youth Lecturer, Director of Chemistry at PYC Therapeutics, Perth

The RACI and AIP have a growing history of joint events bringing together exceptional speakers providing our members and guests with informative talks and stimulating conversation in a relaxed and social environment. 

• Register here for the event*: https://raci.org.au/RACI/Web/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=NSB1207

*AIP members will need to setup an account on the RACI webpage and apply a discount code to their cart when placing their order. The AIP discount code is 22AIPMEMDISC when registering themselves and partners.

Further information included in this flyer.

We look forward to seeing you and your guest for this special occasion!

The physics community is saddened by the passing of Professor Robert ‘Bob’ Crompton AM FAA, who was our former AIP President (1993-94) and an Honorary Fellow.

Bob was one of our earliest members (#11), having transferred from the British institute of Physics nearly 60 years ago.

A keen physicist from a young age, Bob had a happy childhood playing with Meccano sets and building electric motors to power gramophones, clocks, and his toys. He went on to undertake a cadetship at the University of Adelaide, where he would use his love for building things to make equipment such as an automated Wilson cloud chamber for the physics laboratory. He graduated in 1949 with honours.

Afterwards, Bob became one of the first students at the University of Adelaide to undertake a PhD in physics and graduated in 1954. His thesis focused on collisions between electrons and gas molecules. He again made use of his practical skills by glassblowing his own equipment and building his own research apparatus. While at the university, he also lectured in physics between 1950 and 1960, eventually forming a small research group.

In 1961, Bob transferred his research group to the newly formed Research School of Physical Sciences at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. His group grew and became world-renowned for electron swarm physics - in particular, for investigating the behaviour of electrons when they collide and rebound from gas molecules. Bob remained with ANU until he retired in 1991.

Bob’s achievements were recognised with several awards throughout his career, including his appointment as a Member of Australia in 1999 for his services to science and the community. He was elected Fellow also of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS; in 1979), the American Physical Society (1995), and the British Institute of Physics.

Throughout his career, he served in many professional organisations, including as the ACT Branch Chair of the AIP (1973-74), Chair of the Australian Journals of Scientific Research Board (1982-87), and Member of the National Committee for Physics at AAS (1969-76) as well as its Chair (1976-1979).

• Read more on his Bob’s life and career here.

Tributes to Bob from our members and colleagues

Professor Anthony Thomas FAIP (University of Adelaide) remembers Bob as a ‘very good president of the AIP’ along with memories of his other contributions and that he was a ‘delightful person’.

Of Bob's passing, Immediate Past President Jodie Bradby said: “Sad news. The Helen and Bob Crompton endowment set up at ANU Physics has supported PhD student travel for years. He was the kindest man who always had a moment for a chat.”

Stuart Midgely remembers Bob's encouragement of young physicists: "This is indeed very sad. Bob was a great man who did wonders for students and aspiring physicists through his work with the physics Olympiad."

Colin Taylor said: "When Bob passed, the world lost a giant of physics and an extraordinary human."

Anna Binnie remembers Bob's leadership and kindness:

"Bob was one of nature's true gentlemen. He was always supportive & encouraging of students. He was especially supportive of establishing the Women in Physics Group in the AIP.

He was the first Chair of the Australian Science Olympiad. He felt that a teacher on the Board of the Australian Science Olympiads would provide input on student welfare and support. To this end he invited me to join the Board. In its early days, Bob would personally collect me from the airport and Helen, his wife, used to provide us with sandwiches at lunch time. In those days we met at the ANU. I shall especially miss him.”

We send our condolences to Bob’s family and friends. Vale Bob, you will be missed.

Photo: Credit - AAS.

As reported by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration.

Astronomers have unveiled the first image of the supermassive black hole at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy. This result provides overwhelming evidence that the object is indeed a black hole and yields valuable clues about the workings of such giants, which are thought to reside at the centre of most galaxies. The image was produced by a global research team called the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration, using observations from a worldwide network of radio telescopes.

The image is a long-anticipated look at the massive object that sits at the very centre of our galaxy. Scientists had previously seen stars orbiting around something invisible, compact, and very massive at the centre of the Milky Way. This strongly suggested that this object — known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*, pronounced "sadge-ay-star") — is a black hole, and today’s image provides the first direct visual evidence of it.

Although we cannot see the black hole itself, because it is completely dark, glowing gas around it reveals a telltale signature: a dark central region (called a “shadow”) surrounded by a bright ring-like structure. The new view captures light bent by the powerful gravity of the black hole, which is four million times more massive than our Sun.

“We were stunned by how well the size of the ring agreed with predictions from Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity," said EHT Project Scientist Geoffrey Bower from the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, Taipei. "These unprecedented observations have greatly improved our understanding of what happens at the very centre of our galaxy and offer new insights on how these giant black holes interact with their surroundings.” The EHT team's results are being published today in a special issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Because the black hole is about 27,000 light-years away from Earth, it appears to us to have about the same size in the sky as a donut on the Moon. To image it, the team created the powerful EHT, which linked together eight existing radio observatories across the planet to form a single “Earth-sized” virtual telescope. The EHT observed Sgr A* on multiple nights, collecting data for many hours in a row, similar to using a long exposure time on a camera.

The breakthrough follows the EHT collaboration’s 2019 release of the first image of a black hole, called M87*, at the centre of the more distant Messier 87 galaxy. 

Read the full media release here.