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Vibrations
The Newsletter for the EAS Community
Message from the Chair
EAS Community,
I hope the Winter Term is going well for you all so far. I’d like to bring your attention to two recent research highlights: the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) team, which includes Professor Katie Bouman, has validated both their original findings and our understanding of black holes with a new image of the supermassive black hole M87*; and the Space Solar Power Project has officially ended its first in-space mission.
Back here on Earth, I am happy to share that Julia Greer, Ruben F. and Donna Mettler Professor of Materials Science, Mechanics and Medical Engineering; Fletcher Jones Foundation Director of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute, has been named the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Physics, an influential publication in the field. I look forward to seeing the Journal thrive under Julia's guidance!
Harry Atwater
Otis Booth Leadership Chair, Division of Engineering and Applied Science
Selected Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Caltech and Harvey Mudd Winter 2024 STEM Virtual Career Fair
Location: Online
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Charge Up! Entrepreneurship Series: Alumni Fireside Chat with Cody Finke, CEO and Co-Founder of Brimstone
Location: Online
Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Coping with Procrastination workshop for students (free lunch will be served)
Location: Hameetman Center 210 - Conference Room
Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
TechConnect Industry Day
Location: Olive Walk
Thursday, January 25, 2024, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
KNI Presents: Etch Tech 2024
Location: Ramo Auditorium
Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Watson Lecture - "Lunar Trailblazer: The Pioneering Small Satellite Set to Investigate Water on the Moon" - Bethany Ehlmann, professor of planetary science and director of the Keck Institute for Space Studies
Location: Beckman Auditorium
Become an FSRI Mentor!
The First-Year Success Research Institute (FSRI) program is looking for small project research mentors (faculty, post-docs, and graduate students are all welcome) for our 2024 summer programming! FSRI is designed to introduce incoming historically excluded and/or marginalized first-year students to Caltech's research, curriculum, academic rigor, and student support services. Potential mentors should have a project available and dedicate 2+ hours/week to in-person lab work and meetings with students. Attend an information session on Friday, February 16 from 11 am - 12 pm. Apply to become a mentor here.
Spotlight On Our People
Hao Tian
Postdoctoral Scholar, Electrical Engineering
After receiving my PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University in May 2022, I became an IQIM postdoctoral scholar in Professor Mirhosseini’s group. My research focuses on engineering the quantum transduction between microwave and optics that is mediated by mechanical resonators. I am interested in designing novel nanostructures with efficient optomechanical interaction, exploring new materials with advanced electro-optic and piezoelectric performance, and developing nano-fabrication techniques for building quantum transducers on a chip. In the future, my research would benefit the realization of the quantum internet where quantum information is transmitted via off-the-shelf optical fibers. During my first year stay at Caltech, I’m delighted to have received the support on research and life from colleagues and friends, which helps me gain new skills and experience every day. I’m happy to be one member of this creative and inclusive community and I am looking forward to the advancement of my career at Caltech.
Wenjie Zhou
Postdoctoral Scholar, Mechanical and Civil Engineering
I joined Caltech as a postdoctoral scholar in September 2022 after completing my PhD in chemistry at Northwestern. I am deeply intrigued by geometries and topologies because I believe they are the universal language of nature, regardless of scale. My PhD research was committed to the precision synthesis of nanoparticles with customizable shapes and dimensions, and then chemically organizing them into pre-designed nano-architected optical metamaterials. Upon joining Caltech, I pivoted to mechanical engineering because I saw the immense potential of introducing polycatenated structures as a new dimension in designing architected materials. I am currently working with Professor Chiara Daraio on discovering and developing emergent functionalities of chainmail-inspired mechanical metamaterials for application in impact protection, wearable materials, and soft robotics. Outside of work, I love creating unique shapes and entanglements, traveling, and building consumer electronics. If you share my interest in generative arts or find joy in intricate patterns, feel free to email me.
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EAS News Highlights
Calls for Nomination & Funding Opportunities
Caltech’s Office of Foundation Relations maintains an online database and email subscription service of primarily non-federal funding opportunities as a resource for the Caltech community. Opportunities include calls for proposals released by private foundations, public charities, associations, corporations, internal Caltech opportunities and federal limited opportunities.
Division of Engineering and Applied Science
