CST Lecture Series kicks off with presentation on nanotechnology Dec. 2

November 18, 2009

Western Washington University Professor Brad Johnson, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will present “The Solace of Quantum: The Amazing Science Behind Nanotechnology and Supercolliders” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Bellingham City Council chambers, second floor, Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is offered as the first event of the annual Science and the univerCity community science lecture series. It is sponsored by the WWU College of Sciences and Technology, the City of Bellingham, and, along with the other CST outreach programs, “Wizards at Western” and the “Leaders in Their Fields,” is also sponsored in part by a grant from the Cherry Point BP refinery.

The amazing science of quantum mechanics was primarily developed in the first third of the 20th century as a means to understand the workings of the atom and its constituent parts (the physics of ‘small’). Johnson’s talk will focus on the science of quantum mechanics, and the development of technologies based on it – including nanotechnology and quantum computing – as well as the future of scientific endeavors to understand the smallest and most fundamental building blocks of nature.

“We are pleased again this year to have the support of the City in our efforts to bring programs on important topics in science and technology to the Bellingham community. Furthermore, to have endorsement of our efforts, in the form of support for this series by the BP Corporation, is especially gratifying,” said Arlan Norman, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology. “This is a program for the community, a program that we hope really contributes to the general understanding of many important and exciting topics in today’s complex world of scientific and technological advances.”

Johnson’s presentation, like each of the installments in the Science and the univerCity community science lecture series, will also be taped and rebroadcast on Bellingham BTV 10.

The two remaining CST lectures are set for winter and spring quarters:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at City Hall: Professor Anu Singh-Cundy of the WWU Department of Biology will present “Fruits, Veggies and Whole Grains: How Chemicals Affect Your Health.”
  • Wednesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at City Hall: Professor Stephen McDowall off the WWU Mathematics Department will present “The X-Ray Vision of Mathematics: Seeing Inside Our Bodies and Our World.”

For more information on the Dec. 2 lecture, contact Brad Johnson, WWU professor of Physics and Astronomy, (360) 650-3659, or e-mail brad.johnson@wwu.edu.