By Christina Smith
The University officially launched its Center for Condensed Matter Research on Friday. The Center was supported through a $525,000 congressional grant from the United States Department of Energy, which was obtained with help from Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), according to a University press release.
The Center, located in the Herman A. Berliner Hall, will be directed by Dr. Harold Hastings, chair and professor of the Physics and Astronomy Department. According to the release, the Center will serve to enhance the University’s ongoing work concerning various applications of physics, such as photocells, the physics of quantum computing and the physics of the heart.
“We want to develop an understanding of the physics of quantum computing because if we ever get one, we’ll understand it,” Hastings said. “These new computers are potentially very powerful.”
Hastings said that for many students at the University, they have a choice of places to go and enhance their particular studies and to get involved with certain faculty on cutting edge research.
“It’s important to learn how to do research and development as an undergrad,” he said. “I’ve been supporting student research since the mid-1990s with outside grants and they have done well.” The Center will provide students with the opportunity to do this type of research. He added that the Center will also be able to provide paid summer internships to eight or more students.
Rep. McCarthy, at an appearance at the University Friday for the launching of the Center, said that she is proud to have helped the University secure the grant, and that it will “shine a spotlight on the advancement of the University.” She added that not only will it raise the University’s profile as an important research center in the academic community, it will improve the University’s growing reputation as a research leader in the physical sciences.
Hastings also hopes that the Center will stimulate the University’s intellectual atmosphere. “In general, the intellectual life of the University depends on a high level of activity from faculty and students,” he said, adding that he hopes the Center will bring more distinguished visitors and professional lectures to the University.
Although the University completed the process to apply for the grant directly through the Dept. of Energy, U.S. Rep. McCarthy played an important role in the grant process by sending a letter on behalf of the University. The money was not awarded through an earmark or an appropriation bill, but was instead given directly to the University from the Dept. of Energy.
“We have students [physics] who can compete for and represent the University,” Hastings said, referring to a group of three students who won first place for the best undergraduate physics research New York at a 2007 New York American Physical Society meeting. “Hopefully we can take other students as far as them and get more students to that level of research and competition.”
Samuel Rubenfeld contributed reporting to this story from Washington.