Since it’s an essential knowledge for students who work in one research group, also for us the section members, the day started with a speech about (How to work in a team). The main idea was connecting Science with industries by calling one of related industrial companies in field of optics; Scope Optics Company. Its owner and representative, Dr. M. Abd Elazeem was invited to give a speech and he responded pleasantly. The last seminar was given by Lecturer Yusuf and he is also the section treasurer talking about his work which helps central retinal impairment patients to get the overall visual scene.
The event took place in The National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences (NILES) supported by Laser Technology Center (LTC). It helps NILES’s staff members and LTC’s members to relate about optical industrial technologies, and optical fabrication stages. Moreover the invented ophthalmic co-axial bi-cone lens Presented by Yusuf. All the section members where involved in the event arrangements. Professors, researchers and students had been invited to this event, and more than 15 attended. a visit to the production place was suggested to extend the knowledge for the upcoming events through the team of EPS Cairo Young Minds section.
Kidutopia Event
EPS Cairo young minds section contributed to an inspiring event for innovative kids called “Kidutopia”. About fifty kids (from five to sixteen years old) attended this event which is the first event that combines sciences, sports and educational consultations for kids in Egypt. This event had many non-governmental organizations that cooperated with us to give these kids an outreaching in different activities. The YM Cairo section organized and implemented simple experiments relating to various motivating physical phenomenon through enjoyable activates. These experiments included optical illusion, water lens and light refraction in addition to some simple optical activities using a laser kit game. This event had a positive impact on the kids through the participation of the children in performing these experiments. Moreover, this event was very exciting to the section members as it served an extremely important part of the community: Kids
Students Meeting at the Start of the Semester
The Students Meeting at the Start of the Semester took place for the fourth time and is beginning to have the status of an established event at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FNSPE). This was mirrored by the high attendance of almost 70 people which increased again, compared to the previous semester. As usual, we invited a high-profile speaker in the Czech Republic to give a talk at our university. This time, because of the recent Nobel Prize in the field, we invited Prof. Jiri Podolsky from Charles University to speak about gravitational waves which is the main topic of his research.
The event was advertised in a timely manner on our increasingly popular Facebook profile, on our web pages, and in the form of posters in several buildings of Czech Technical University and Charles University. Students and faculty from several universities came and enjoyed coffee and tea before the lecture and then attended the presentation. During the subsequent discussion, which is in our opinion the most important part of the event, they enjoyed refreshments organized by us. During the event, we also advertised other activities organized by the Prague EPS YM section.
This event was generally rated as a good idea. The large attendance makes this the most popular single event organized by our EPS YM section and was achieved mainly thanks to the large number of posters that were distributed at the university campuses in Prague. The meeting presents a unique networking opportunity that can connect faculty and students of different ages and from different universities. In addition, such an event can be interesting for the public as well. All these reasons accentuate the need of such high-profile talks at our university.
Face2phase conference
The face2phase conference was organized by Optics group on 9-11 October 2017 in TU Deflt. The main topics which were covered during the conference, were holography, computational imaging and lensless imaging. It was an international academic platform where eminent scientists present their ongoing work and new development in the fields. 3 days of conference was completely scheduled with presentations, poster session, holography exhibitions and social evenings. The conference was attended by more than 100 attendees from all over the world. The attendees were students, professors, scientists and employee of prestigious universities and industries.
EPS Delft Young Minds Section and SPIE student chapter Delft were also a part of this conference in organizing a session called SPIE Focus. The primary objective of the SPIE Focus session was leadership skills. The talks given during the SPIE Focus session were mainly focused on the importance of patent and system design in industrial innovation. The session was targeted to the students present at the conference. After this session, we had “talk with experts” session. During this session, we had provided snacks and drinks to the attendees and gave students enough time to interact with the experts and try to have some insight.
The main funding sources for this conference was Photonics NL, Dutch Optics Centre, SPIE Focus and EPS Delft YM section. The conference and the SPIE Focus session were successful and it received large attention within scientific community. Furthermore, we managed to utilize the resources provided by EPS at its maximum potential.
Conference – OPTO 2017
In July 2017 Warsaw University of Technology Student Chapter, together with University of Warsaw Student Chapter and students from Military University of Technology organized an international conference on optics and photonics: OPTO 2017. The event takes place annually in Poland and is organized by students for students. This year – eleventh edition gathered 150 scientists from 25 institutions around the world. Main purpose of the event was to provide students and young researchers from (mainly) mid-eastern Europe a chance to present and discuss their latest scientific achievements. For many students, it was the first conference they attended and we wanted to be as inclusive as it is possible and enable everyone a possibility to attend. We were extremely happy to provide travel grants for students with a difficult situation for example from Ukraine.
Professional development plays a crucial role in the education of young researcher our conference started off with a whole day of workshops devoted to these issues. Attendees had a possibility to learn how to protect inventions during the lecture given by local patent agency JWP Patent & Trademark Attorneys. Later on, Nathalie Debaes from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) talked about technology transfer from university research teams to industry and how photonic innovations can impact companies. After those workshops, we held a special poster session – for scientific chapters. All of the optical chapter representatives from different Universities could present their activities and ideas. This exchange of experience inspired us to create new projects and cooperate with other sections. The next panel introduced students to the subject of effective communication of science and was lead by dr Carlos Lopez-Mariscal. The last presentation of the day was given by dr Danuta Sampson, who told us about the importance of ethics in science.
Next three days of the conference were related to optics and photonics. We aimed to establish a high scientific standard of the conference by inviting notable scientists from all over the world as Invited Speakers. This year, we had a pleasure to listen to lectures given by: prof. Małgorzata Kujawińska (Warsaw University of Technology, Fellow SPIE, 2005 SPIE President), prof. Paolo Villoressi (University of Padova – Italy), prof. Zeev Zalevsky(Fellow SPIE & OSA, Israel – Bar Ilan University), prof. Roberto Morandotti (Fellow SPIE, Fellow OSA Canada – Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique—Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications), prof. Allard Mosk (Utrecht University – Netherlands), dr F. Ömer Ilday (Turkey – Bilkent University), dr Alberto Amo (France – CNRS-Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures). Each of our guests told us about the newest accomplishments in their research field, which was incredibly educational and fascinating. During the meeting, young researchers got a chance not only to broaden their knowledge by attending interesting lectures but also to gain a very valuable experience in presenting their research and discussing it with specialists. Students gave 50 very innovative presentations and presented 60 posters during poster session. We were amazed by the professionality of presentations as well as by the range of fields of optics. Our conference also gathered local optical companies, so students could find out more about possibilities of employment or internships.
Our conference gathered young scientists passionate about the same field, so we believed that it was a great opportunity for networking. To help that happen every day we organized an evening event during which attendees had a chance to talk in unofficial atmosphere. As a welcome party, we invited everybody for bowling and pool. Next day we encouraged everyone to take part in our famelab and enjoy the company in a local pub. Because our conference took place in our beautiful city of Warsaw we also organized a guided tour of the capital of Poland. To officially close the conference we held a reception in the Polonia Hotel in the city center. During the banquette, we had a chance to award the best presentations, posters and chapter activity. It was also a great opportunity to summarize the meeting while enjoying a great atmosphere.
Although, we closed the official – scientific part of the conference we had a social day ahead of us. We chose to visit Copernicus Science Center and had fun with science whole day – because what’s a better way to finish the conference than flying on a magic carpet?
We believe that our conference was a great success, mostly because we managed to organize it entirely on our own. For us – organizing team it was a unique learning opportunity to work on this big project without a lot of prior experience. It taught us also a lot about teamwork and cooperation, especially as the event was co-organised by 3 chapters, each with its own ideas. Nevertheless, we know that by working together we were able to achieve much more and prepare better event. Now, that we know each other so well, we hope to collaborate on many projects in the future.
The success of the conference wouldn’t be possible without the help of all our sponsors and universities. Thank You!
More information about the conference at: www.opto2017.com
2017 IEEE International Young Scientists Forum on Applied Physics and Engineering (YSF-2017)
The 2017 IEEE International Young Scientists Forum on Applied Physics and Engineering (YSF-2017) was successfully held on October 17-20, 2017 in one of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine, in magnificent Lviv. The event was hosted by the Scientific Library of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
The event was co-organized by the O.Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics NAS of Ukraine and its Young Scientists Council; Ivan Franko National University of Lviv; Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute NASU, IEEE IRE NASU-Kharkiv AP-S, ED-S, MTT-S, IA-S, SSC-S Student Branch Chapters, and Kharkiv EPS YM Section. It was held in collaboration with Ukrainian Physical Society, endorsed by EPS Physics for Development Group and has been recognized as a Europhysics Conference by EPS.
The YSF-2017 gathered together over 150 young scientists, engineers, and invited speakers (including more than 40 IEEE members) from all over the world: the geography of participants included 29 cities of 10 countries including USA, UK, Spain, Poland, Estonia, Turkey, Italy, Hungary, Egypt, and Ukraine. The technical program included presentations on a broad range of topics including Biological and Medical Physics; Optics and Photonics; Computational and Experimental Electromagnetics; Microwave and Teraherts Electronics; Nano- and Metamaterials; Information Systems and Nondestructive Testing; Power Electronics and Industry Applications; Solid State Physics; Nuclear and Plasma Physics; Multiwavelength Astronomy; Geoscience and Remote Sensing.
The list of invited speakers of the Forum included two IEEE distinguished lecturers of GRS and NPS societies: Dr. Valery Zavorotny (NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, USA) and Dr. Patric Muggli (Max Planck Institute for Physics, Germany), respectively; IEEE Industry Applications Society president – Dr. Tomy Sebastian (USA); OSA chief scientist – Prof. Gregory Quarles (USA); Dr. Carlos Roncero-Clemente (University of Extremadura, Spain); DSci. Valeriya Trusova (Ukraine), and EPS invited speaker Dr. Leonid Ponomarenko (Lancaster University, UK) who gave a talk on “Graphene Heterostructures: Electronic Properties and Potential Applications”.
The event was supported by EPS, Kharkiv EPS Young Minds Section, IEEE East Ukraine Joint Chapter, IEEE Ukraine Section Women in Engineering Affinity Group, EuMA and enabled the organizers to provide 50 participants with the travel grants.
The unique feature of the event, which traditionally gains interest among the participants, is a successful combination of a scientific program with various soft skill trainings. This year Forum offered workshops on scientific writing in English, improving skills of public speaking, grant proposal writing as well as insights into the grant programs of the European Union, NATO, DAAD and other organizations.
On the October 21, 2017 the YSF-2017 satellite event, the CS-oriented workshop “Microscope, Money, and Two Useful Nails”, was organized at the Ukrainian Catholic University. It was aimed at collaboration between young scientists and Ukrainian IT companies.
Last, but not least, the YSF has always been not just a scientific platform for the career development of young scientists, but also a place for effective communication. The fascinating social program of this year’s Forum prepared by the organizers was an integral part of the event and included welcome and farewell parties, library excursion, and city tour.
Modern density functional theory – from physics to coding
For the past two decades density functional theory (DFT) has been revolutionizing chemistry and materials science. In 2016 alone more than 50 000 scientific papers were published that used DFT and valid predictions are becoming commonplace. For example, based on DFT predictions, materials scientists have developed the first-ever growth of 2D GaN (August 2016). European Physical Society Young Minds Section of Vilnius University (EPS YM Vilnius) together with Electronic Structure Theory Group from Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (CPST) launched “Modern density functional theory – from physics to coding” workshops at the CPST. These workshops introduced advances of DFT theory and its applications to all students interested in computational material or experimental science. The aim was to share necessary theoretical knowledge and experience on applications of DFT to popularize computational physics among the students. Such methods are widely used from biophysics to materials science and are a driving force for the discovery and design of molecules and materials. Workshops were given by members of Electronic Structure Theory Group (dr. A. Alkauskas) and lecturers from Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (prof. G. Juzeliūnas). In particular, the practical usages of some DFT codes, such that one can carry out the computation associated with their research projects after reading the manuals. Students were asked to choose one topic, read references and partake in discussions with group members. Students worked on assignments and literature in an interactive and collaborative manner, got practical problem solving exercises. EPS in Vilnius has purchased 2 books for these seminars “Symmetry in Physics: Principles and Simple Applications Volume 1 & Volume 2″ (by James Philip Elliott, P.G. Dawber).
Sunrise Valley Physics Seminars
EPS YM Vilnius contributed to the organization of “Sunrise Valley Semiconductor Seminars” and “Joint Theoretical Physics Seminars”, which are among the largest recurrent seminars within Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (CPST) for over a year.
Seminar series covered topics like fundamental and solid-state physics issues, practical and physical aspects of semiconductor industry and technologies (f. e.: nitride laser diodes – prospects and problems, diamond quantum science and technology, ultra-fast lasers and 4D printing, studies of interfacial defects in crystals, etc.).
“Sunrise Valley Semiconductor Seminars” and “Joint Theoretical Physics Seminars” provided a platform for scientists and entrepreneurs to discuss, exchange and share their experience. It is the best example of R&D element when industrial representatives and entrepreneurs get stronger scientific background, and scientists in exchange get a chance to know the challenges of marketing innovations, ideas, etc.
Seminar initiators are well known scientists dr. A. Alkauskas (Principal Research Fellow at CPST), dr. A. Vizbaras, and dr. K. Vizbaras from “Brolis Semiconductors” (high-technology company that has clients from over 160 companies throughout the world from Japan to the United States of America) and EPS YM in Vilnius president – M. Mackoit.
Seminars gather scientists from Faculty of Physics (Vilnius University), Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius University Institute of Applied Researc and CPST, industry etc.
EPS YM made these seminars attractive not only to experienced scientists from various theoretical physics research institutions, but for MSc and PhD students as well. Leading researchers from universities, institutes and companies of United States of America, Australia and Europe were invited to give a talk at “ Sunrise Valley Semiconductor Seminars”. Frequency of these workshops was twice a month. EPS YM in Vilnius is spreading information about the seminars by popularizing it through the posters and fliers (advertising the seminars in the faculty, CPST departments, laboratories, etc.), facebook (Physics Seminars in Saulėtekis), twitter (Physics in Lithuania). EPS YM is helping in organizing the coffee breaks, carrying out speaker lists, preparing little souvenirs for speakers to remember their visit in Lithuania, etc. EPS YM members were even moderating these seminars. These workshops have a huge potential for interdisciplinary research and collaboration between physicists and entrepreneurs. Center for Physical Sciences and Technology wants them to continue in 2017/2018. In October we’re going to invite Prof. Dr. Fedor Jelezko (Institute for Quantum Optics and Department of Physics, Ulm University, Germany) to give a talk about quantum information processing with spins in diamond.
Open Readings 2017
60th International Conference for Students of Physics and Natural Sciences “Open Readings 2017” – international academic platform for students, scientists and researchers from all over the world to present their ongoing research results and best practices in fields of Physics and Natural Sciences. “Open Readings 2017” goal was to enable the interactive exchange of knowledge. The conference also served to foster communication among researchers working in a wide variety of scientific areas. This conference gave an opportunity for BSc, MSc, PhD, who are doing their scientific research, to present it to a larger audience, get constructive criticism and useful advice. It was one of the best opportunities for Physicists from Europe, and not only, to disseminate their scientific achievements.
“Open Readings 2017” took place from March 14-17th, in the largest scientific research institution in Lithuania Center for Physical Sciences and Technology. This year this conference gathered above 350 presenters from more than 20 different countries and 9 invited incredible lecturers from the World’s Top Scientists: Bernard Lucas “Ben” Feringa – laureate of 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Jonathan Richard Ellis – one of the most respected scientists in modern-day physics with research interest in particle physics; Philip Russell – world renowned physicist, Director at the Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light; Michael Grätzel – one of the most renowned material scientists worldwide, who recently received the Millennium Technology Award; Robin Lovell-Badge – Head of the Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics at the Francis Crick Institute; Xi-Cheng Zhang – a Chinese-American Physicist, THz and ultrafast optics specialist; Naomi J. Halas – pioneering nanotechnologist at Rice University, co-founder of Nanospectra Biosciences; Eugenio Coccia – director of the Gran Sasso Science Institute and professor of Physics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
OSA and SPIE Student Chapters of Vilnius University played a huge role in the funding of this conference.
European Physical Society Young Minds Section of Vilnius University (EPS YM Vilnius) also has contributed to organization of this conference. EPS YM together with VTeX organized workshop: “What’s hot in the science publishing: the scientists’ approach”, members of EPS YM Vilnius has witten two OR17 popularizing articles.
During the conference EPS together with “Olympus of Physics” organized “10th Lithuanian Π day championship” at Faculty of Physics. We gathered ~100 (students, University workers, managers, etc). This year Lithuania Guinness record was broken – Henrikas Šalūga memorized 5001 decimal places of Pi – this was posted in the social media (http://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/mokslas/naujas-lietuvos-rekordas-net-5001-skaitmuo-is-atminties.d?id=74066314 ) . EPS bought awards for the winners (bluetooth headphones, cups-pins-pens with logo and Π,”Olympus of Physics” – cash prizes. EPS invited special guest from Mathematics and Informatics faculty (Vilnius University) dr. G. Alkauskas, who conducted a lecture: “Periods – transcendental numbers that are arithmetic”.
EPS YM in Vilnius reimbursed the travel expenses for Jonathan Richard Ellis. It payed even more attention to our section and attracted new members. Photos: http://www.openreadings.eu/archive/.
Strathclyde’s Physics Journal Club
From late 2016 to the first half of 2017, SCOPE has continued organising the Strathclyde’s Physics Journal Club fortnightly with excellent participation and support from the students involved.
Keeping the spirit from the previous year, the aim of this activity was to both give the chapter members the opportunity to present some of the relevant papers in their field, or more broadly in general interest science, and also enhance the communication with other students, learning and talking about physics in a relaxed atmosphere. We aimed to develop a vital skill for young researchers: the ability to efficiently analyse and present a high-profile scientific paper. As many of the students were lacking this kind of activities in their own groups, we provided this student-run platform with great success.
Throughout the year, we tried to broaden the topics covered in the sessions ranging from plasma physics to biological lasers. At the same time, we focus a lot of our efforts in incorporating new people to the Journal Club. This lead to a nice attendance in all the sessions and benefitted other of our events as people got to know SCOPE through the Journal Club. We encouraged all our attendees to present at least once and thanks to that we managed to cover really diverse areas of physics. The presentations were usually 20 to 30 minutes long, supported by whiteboard sketches and slides, and it was followed by an informal discussion with some refreshments.
The rest of the students provided some feedback after the presentation helping the speakers improve their weaker points and together improving the understanding of the topic being discussed. To make this discussion as useful as possible, all the attendees had access to the presented papers a few days in advance to be able to familiarise themselves with the subject.
The success of the activity was also due to the fact that the activity was run by other students, reducing the anxiety of making mistakes or asking questions, and generating a suitable environment for group learning.
We are certain that this activity will remain valued by the students in the coming years. That’s why we are planning on maintaining it in the next academic year. As the activity requires a small budget we will be able to organise it without requiring further funding.