Public Evening Lectures
Lise-Meitner-Lecture (in English)
Tuesday, 2 April 2019, 18:30, Audimax (H1)
Prof. Dr. Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, ARC Centre of Excellence, EQUS, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australien
is speaking about
“Sculpted light in nano- and microsystems”
Abstract:
Use of spatial light modulators enables unprecedented control and highest versatility of light and its forms. Light can be now structured or sculpted in such a way that it enables control of matter and studies of light matter interactions in many fields of at scales ranging from nano to microsystems, from quantum physics to complex biological systems.
A light beam can exchange both linear momentum and angular momentum with a microscopic object. Methods based on these two phenomena promise high flexibility and an opportunity for driving these objects in microfluidic devices or inside a biological cell or developing methods that enable manipulation of large biological objects in vivo and combining it with optogenetics. It also allows production of flexible optical potential for use in quantum atom optics.
The use of the angular momentum of light enables introduction of controlled rotation of microscopic objects. Quantitative measurements of this rotation are possible through a measurement of the change of polarisation state of light after passing through the object. The transfer of the angular momentum can then be used for several applications in biology and medicine. One of such application is microrheology of complex fluids that exhibit both viscous and elastic behaviours. The use of orbital angular moment presents further advantages in creating highly controllable devices as for example bio-analogues.
Public Evening Talk (in English)
Wednesday, 3 April 2019, 20:00, Audimax (H1)
Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Pacchioni, Universita Milano-Bicocca, Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Milano, Italien
is speaking about
“The overproduction of truth. Passion, competition, and integrity in modern science”
Abstract:
The way science is done has changed radically in recent years. Scientific research and institutions, which have long been characterized by passion, dedication and reliability, have increasingly less capacity for more ethical pursuits, and are pressed by hard market laws. From the vocation of a few, science has become the profession of many, possibly too many. These trends come with consequences and risks, such as the rise in fraud, plagiarism, and in particular the sheer volume of scientific publications, often of little relevance. We will critically review and assess the present-day policies and behaviors in scientific production and publication. We will touch on the tumultuous growth of scientific journals, in parallel with the growth of self-declared scientists over the world. We will investigate the loopholes and hoaxes of pretend journals and nonexistent congresses, so common today in the scientific arena, and discuss problems connected to the incorrect use of bibliometric indices, which have resulted in large part from the above distortions of scientific life. The solution? A slow approach with more emphasis on quality rather than quantity that will help us to rediscover the essential role of the responsible scientist.