PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

RESEARCH

Faculty:

Dr. Dermot Coffey does research in theoretical solid state physics.

Dr. Michael DeMarco does experimental solid state research involving the Mossbauer effect on superconductors. Dr. Demarco has published several papers with Buff State undergrads including Griff Harmon, Neil Miller and Brian Graves [see, for example, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 41 (2008) 225003]

Dr. David Ettestad does research in chaos theory and also statistical mechanics theory. He also helps to coordinate the High Performance Computer Laboratory (HIPERC).

Dr. Luanna Gomez conducts research on the teaching and learning of physics. She is particularly interested in the improvement of student learning in introductory physics and the preparation of pre-college teachers to teach physics and physical science as a process of inquiry. A description of Dr. Gomez' research may be found at http://homepage.mac.com/luanna.gomez/Menu1.html.  

Dr. Daniel MacIsaac  studies the factors that influence the development of effective physics teachers. Dan also coordinates the M.S.Ed. (Physics) graduate programs for physics teachers.

Dr. Ram Rai conducts experimental research on electronic and magnetic materials. He is particularly interested in thin films of complex oxides, and their investigation using different experimental techniques, including optical spectroscopy, resistivity, and dielectric measurements.

Dr. Rai's webpage: http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/rairc/index.htm

Undergraduate Students:

Joseph Steiner (Class of 2011): Joe used a neutron howitzer to produce Plutonium from Uranium by following the gamma rays from the decay of intermediate chemical element Neptunium. Joe did a presentation at the 2007 Student Research and Creativity Celebration titled "The Production of 239Pu from the Neutron Irradiation of 238U." (PPT, 1.28MB)

Bryan Graves (Class of 2007): Brian measured the magnetic properties of a material in a superconducting state. His presentation at the Student Research and Creativity Celebration was titled "The Existence of Superconductivity and Magnetism in GdRuSr2Cu2O8 .”

Griffin Harmon (Class of 2007): Griffin studied how the surface magnetic properties of the particles change as the particles get smaller. His presentation at the Student Research and Creativity Celebration was “FePt Nanoparticles and the Dead Zone.”

Neil Miller (Class of 2007):  Neil Miller was able to measure changes in the properties of Magnetic materials as they changed from Paramagnets to Ferromagnets and then to Antiferromagnets. His presentation at the 2007 Student Research and Creativity Celebration was "The Properties of Some Ruthenates." (PPT, 852KB)

Neil Miller (Class of 2007):  Neil Miller also did research with the math department on epidemiology of gonorrhea in Erie County. He gave a presentation at the  2007 Frontiers in Applied and Computational Mathematics conference (and at the 2007 Student Research and Creativity Celebration) titled "Modified SIR models to forecast epidemics: Gonorrhea in Erie County." (PPT, 208KB)

Graduate Students:

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Students in our M.S.Ed. programs successfully publish in peer-reviewed journals. Often these publications grow out of manuscripts students produce for their projects in the capstone course of the program (PHY690). Even if PHY690 manuscripts do not result in external publication, they are archived at http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/pubs/PHY690/.

  • Saeli, S. & MacIsaac, D.L. (2007, February). Using gravitational analogies to introduce elementary electrical field theory concepts. The Physics Teacher, 45(2), 104-108. (PHY690 project)
  • Yap, J. & MacIsaac, D.L. (2006, August). Instructional use of the Johnson electric motor. Physics Education, 41(5). (PHY690 project)
  • Bochicchio, S. M. (2005). Post Use Review of School Island: An online test and remedial tool for New York State Regents physics students. The Science Teachers Bulletin, Fall 2005, 35-40. Science Teachers' Association of New York State (STANYS).
  • Doty, D. (2006). Issues with TI-83s. The Physics Teacher 44(9), 566.
  • Pearson, K. (2006). A post participation review of the University of Virginia’s graduate credit physics course for teacher PHY 605: How Things Work I. Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online, 4(1), 3-6. (PHY690 project)
  • Gosling, C. (2004). Addressing academic challenges facing high school physics students: A synopsis and annotated bibliography of peer-reviewed literature addressing classroom culture, gender, relevance and introductory physics instruction. Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online, 2(2), 3-9. (PHY690 project)

Other manuscripts prepared for M.S.Ed. project (PHY690)

Most manuscripts cited here are available at http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/pubs/PHY690.

  • Coia, M. (2006). Blowing in the wind. Eighth Annual Program and Abstracts of the Student Research and Creativity Celebration, Friday April 21 and Saturday, April 22, 2006, p68. SUNY- Buffalo State College Office on Undergraduate Research.
  • Olszewski, C. (2006). Reflecting on the Road Less Traveled: Industrial Physicist to HS Teacher. Manuscript in preparation for the Journal of Physics Teacher Education Online.
  • Sannes, A. (2005). The role of multiple representations for introductory physics teaching. Manuscript in preparation for submission to The Physics Teacher. 
  • Lewocz, J. (2005). The collection and analysis of item latency data for the Force Concept Inventory. Manuscript to be made available from .
  • Mauser, W.E. (2005). Use of single-person hovercraft for instructing Newtons' Laws. Web-published manuscript http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/pubs/PHY690/.
  • Tatman, Y. (2005). McNair Scholar's Research: Use of a new instrument to assess under-represented student attitudes towards physics. Manuscript to be made available from .
  • Thompson, B. (2005). PHY690: A review of Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs) for NY Regent's Physics. Manuscript in preparation for submission to STANYS Journal. (PHY690)
  • Uhrich, C. (2005). An analysis of Knight's Curriculum for teaching AP Physics. Manuscript available from . (PHY690)
  • Gang, R. (2004). An analysis of HS Physics instruction via the Force Concept Inventory. (PHY690)
  • Fooks, E. (2004). PHY690: An analysis of the Modeling curriculum for mechanics with respect to the NYSED Physics Core Curriculum. Manuscript available from .
  • Frank, P. (2004). PHY690: The New York State Regents Physics Core Curriculum correlated with the CASTLE curriculum. Manuscript available from .
  • Kwitek, S. (2004). Development and analysis of an instrument for assessing MS Physical science instruction. (PHY690)
  • Wehling, E. (2004). Basic physics of the EKG. Manuscript in preparation for The Physics Teacher. (PHY485)
  • Rose, M. (2004). An examination of the Modeling curriculum for teaching Physics in comparison with the New York State Physics Core Curriculum for subjects other than mechanics. (PHY690)

Conference Talks

  • Olszewski, C.: A Road Less Travelled: Industrial Physicist to High School Teacher, presented at 2006 AAPT National Summer Meeting: Syracuse, NY. (link to abstract)