Physics
Click here to read a student perspective from summer 2009
Click here to read another student perspective from summer 2009
Click here to read another student perspective from summer 2009 from a student studying in the Dept of Physics but who did a placement in the Insitute of Biomedical Engineering
News: Listings for 2012 will be updated from December 2011 or before as they are received
Magnetometer for Nano-satellites
(please note: unavailable in 2012)
Our laboratory is currently developing a miniature magnetometer for CubeSats - tiny spacecraft based on a 30x10x10cm chassis. We expect to participate in three flight opportunities in 2011/2012. The magnetometer has been designed to be ultra low mass and power and uses sensors based on Anisotropic Magnetoresistance. In the summer of 2011 we required individuals to support test and calibration of the flight instruments. This is a good opportunity for students who are looking for hands-on experimental experience with space instrumentation.
Skills and experience required: Some experience with electronics particularly embedded systems would be useful. Data analysis skills using Matlab is also relevant.
Contact: Patrick Brown, Space & Atmospheric Physics, Dept of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, 6M59 Huxley Building, South Kensington Campus, Tel: 0207 594 7764, Email: patrick.brown@imperial.ac.uk
Superconductivity, Magnetism and Transport in Semiconductors
We offer a variety of projects which vary from year to year based in the areas of superconductivity, magnetism and narrow gap semiconductors. The work usually involves cryogenics and training on large commercial pieces of apparatus such as magnetometers or electrical transport rigs.
Experience: Preferably good experimental skills which means compentence with software programs and confidence with handling experimental apparatus. Some of the experimental work is quite detailed. The work may also involve processing and analysis of data - working knowledge of first and second year physics helpful.
Summer vacation only
Contact: Professor Lesley Cohen, Experimental & Solid State Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, 912 Blackett Laboratory, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 7598 Email: l.cohen@imperial.ac.uk
Plasma Astrophysics
Computational studies of Magnetic Field growth in galaxies. Using existing codes to investigate how magnetic field grows from small to large size in a turbulent galactic plasma. The student would not be expected to write a new code.
Qualifications/Experience: Some knowledge of plasma physics would be useful, but not essential. Good computer skills
Contact: Professor Steve Cowley, Plasma Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, 724 Blackett Laboratory, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 7638, Email: steve.cowley@imperial.ac.uk
Wire-Array Z-Pinch Project
Technical assistance mounting plasma physics experiments on the terra-watt (MAGPIE) facility. Investigations of powerful X-ray pulse generation as a means of achieving thermonuclear fusion as well as laboratory astrophysics experiments.
Experience: Engineering or Physics background necessary.
Contact: Dr Gareth Hall, Department of Physics, 740 Blackett Laboratory, Faculty of Natural Sciences, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 7654, Email: gareth.hall@imperial.ac.uk
Shock Physics - Quasi-static to High Strain Rate Properties of Granular Materials
A combination of experimental, numerical and applied theory to the basis of mechanical response of granular materials under quasi-static to intense (shock wave) loading. There are a number of research programmes available, but all are centred on the idea of granular flow and compaction. This is an area relevant ot many industries and is a rapidly growing area of interest in the scientific community. Fundamental issues like the presence of force chains, the movement of individual particle and motion of assemblies of particles by gas flow or by gravity will need to be addressed. Ultimately, how does the change in impact environment affect the material response.
Skills required: Basic Laboratory Skills, good numeracy and a scientific background
Contact: Dr William G Proud, Institute of Shock Physics, 4.96 Royal School of Mines, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 0207 594 1343 Email: wproud@imperial.ac.uk
Ion Traps and Laser Cooling
The student will work with graduate st udents on an experimental programme to trap calcium ions in a Penning ion trap and study their behaviour. We use lasers to cool the ions to very low temperatures and we are performing experiments studying the process of laser cooling and the factors affecting the use of laser cooled ions for quantum information processing. We also do some work on computer simulations of laser cooling of trapped ions. Please see our website at www.qols.ph.imperial.ac.uk/iontrap for more information.
Experience : Students should be enthusiastic about experimental physics and should already have some experience of experimental work. Experience of building electronics devices is usef ul.
Contact: Professor Richard Thompson, Quantum Optics & Laser Science Group, Department of Physics, Room 6M02, Huxley Building, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 3606 E-mail: r.thompson@imperial.ac.uk
Molecular Biosciences
Computational Biology/Structural Biology
Software development and/or practical data processing for single particle cryo electron microscopy.
Experience: General data processing; Programming in ‘C' and/or Fortran; background in Physics, Engineering or Computer Science.
Contact: Professor M. van Heel, Division of Molecular Biosciences, Dept of Life Sciences, G20 Flowers Building, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 5316, Email: m.vanheel@imperial.ac.uk
