Science Academies Lecture Workshop on Recent Developments in Physics A Report A two day Lecture Workshop on Recent Developments in Physics was organizied by the Department of Physics, Sri G.V.G. Vishalakshi College for women, Udumalpet between 6 th and 7 th of February 2013. The workshop was sponsored by the Academies of India namely, Indian Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), Allahabad. The workshop had a formal inauguration on 06.02.2013 at 9.45 AM with Prof. P.K.Ponnuswamy former Vice-Chancellor of Madras University and Madurai Kamaraj University delivering the Inaugural address. In his address he encouraged the students to rise up to the occasion to perform academic achievements irrespective of the place of their domicile. He also gave a special talk on research in Bio-Physics. Earlier Principal of the College Dr. J.Manjula welcomed the gathering. Prof.M.Lakshmanan, Center for Non Linear dynamics, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, Fellow of Academy and Convener of the workshop highlighted the activities of the Science Academies. The session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by T.V.Banumathi, Head of the Department of Physics and Coordinator of the Workshop. Lecture Session I Prof. M. Lakshmanan from the Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, addressed the participants on Nonlinear Dynamics: A Science of Complexity. As the topic was new to the participants, he began his talk from the basic Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations for the dynamical and continuous systems. He cited examples for Linearity and Non linearity of the systems such as Tsunami. The characteristic nature of soliton waves with constant speed and non dissipative energy was explained. Lecture Session II After the lunch in the second session Prof. G. Rajasekaran, the Distinguished Scientist and Fellow of Academy from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, CIT Campus, Chennai explained the Standard model based on the High energy Particle Physics towards the Understanding of the Ultimate Structure of Matter. He focused the students attention on the unification of field and particle concepts in the quantum field theory and explained the Standard Model with examples. Students enjoyed the session with lots of interaction. The neutrino research with the establishment of the Neutrino observatory at the west hills of Bodi, Theni district was also discussed. They also named him as Neutrino Scientist. Prof. G. Rajasekaran himself enjoyed the session. Lecture Session III In the third session after a short tea break, Dr.S.Balakrishnan, VelTech University, Chennai spoke about the Basics of Quantum Computation and Quantum Information. With the basic introduction on the history of quantum mechanics he went on to explain about the concepts of qubits for the purpose of quantum computing wherein he outlined ideas about Grover s algorithm and Shor s algorithm and encrypting concepts. The EPR paradox and EPR argument about the completeness of QM were some areas which were mentioned by him. The second day 07.02.2013 began with the reporting of the first day s activities and a short welcoming of the gathering by A.Sajitha Banu, Assistant Professor in Physics.
Lecture Session IV Prof. G.Baskaran, the Distinguished Scientist and Fellow of Academy, The Institute of Mathematical ScienceS, CIT Campus, Taramani, Chennai was given a warm welcome and an introduction. Prof. G.Baskaran whose topic was on Some Exciting Developments in Condensed Matter Physics began his lecture with the quotes of Einstein and his contribution to Science and humanity. He explained about the availability of the research articles at the websites like Cornell University. He later explained about the structure of graphene, its property in comparison with that of diamond as a thin film. He also outlined about Ferritin and magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes crystal morphology. There were interactions from the participants. Lecture Session V Dr.K.Jeganathan, Center for NanoScience and NanoTechnology, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, began his speech after a short tea break on the topic Nanotechnology: Recent Developments. His focused on Nano electronics starting from the first generation devices such as valves up to the latest Nanoelectronic devices. He elaborated on the Nanoscale fabrication techniques with special emphasis to Nanowires with GaN and Nanoelectronic LEDs. He showed unique SEM pictures of Nano wires and the facilities of the equipments available for the purpose in his laboratory. Clarity in the fabrication methods were sought by the participants during interaction session. Lecture Session VI In the post-lunch session Prof. M.N. Ponnuswamy, CAS in Crystallography & Biophysics, University of Madras, Chennai, gave a talk on Physics of Living Systems-Bio Physics, the Novel subject for future. Starting from the basic concepts of biology related to the human cell structure, he explained about the DNA and RNA and their constituents. He explained about the various proteins and peptides associated with the human system and their formation with a number of amino acids. His session had a good number of interactions which continued even after the valedictory session. The valedictory session was arranged as the final segment of the workshop. The session began with the welcoming of the gathering by B.Nirmala, Associate Professor in Physics. Prof.P.Kolandivel, Head, School of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore was the Guest-of-Honor. In his valedictory address he encouraged the participants to develop the self-confidence with an inheritance of intellectual capability and cult. He also addressed about some of the basic problems in the higher education system and the obligatory responsibility of the students to work for the society with a dedication. Following these participants presented their feedback about the two day workshop. The workshop concluded with the proposing of the vote of thanks by S.Aram, Associate Professor in Physics. Tea and snacks were served after the National Anthem and the participants left after receiving their attendance certificates. ************************