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9.28.04 Zach Barnett studies some data with another student in the accelerator control room at the University of Kentucky Professor and student pair up for research It was no ordinary summer job for Erskine College junior Zach Barnett when he began working with one of his professors on a nuclear physics experiment. Barnett's initial workplace was the University of Kentucky at Lexington, where he and Assistant Professor of Physics Dr. Paul Schmelzenbach participated in a project conducted jointly with Erskine College and Georgia Tech. Barnett's on-the-job training included the use of a particle accelerator that could bring protons up to a speed of 50,000,000 mph. "Zach's interest in developing a knowledge of physics as well as a desire to gain research experience made him an excellent candidate for participation in this project," Schmelzenbach said. GAINING EXPERIENCE Barnett, who is from Greenwood, said he and Schmelzenbach traveled to Lexington during the week after final exams, and stayed from Monday through Saturday. That week in Kentucky was significant for him in several ways. First, he got a taste of what graduate school might be like. "As a science major with the intent to pursue a doctorate in physics after graduation, I had an exciting opportunity to see what awaits me after Erskine," he said. Barnett also began mulling over what his future focus in physics might be. "My experiences in the nuclear physics field at Kentucky caused me to consider seriously which area of physics I want to specialize in for graduate studies," he said. He said he also gained practical experience. "That week provided me with a good crash course in Linux because that operating system was required for the data analysis software we used," he said. "Knowledge of Linux is valuable in research and IT (information technology) fields." Barnett is completing a double major in physics and mathematics as well as a minor in information technology. He said his mathematics major includes both the pure mathematics track and the computer science track. Dean for Learning and Technology Dr. Bill Junkin, longtime physics professor and the creator of BQ, a software program for classroom use, said Barnett is an excellent student. "Zach was impressed with the BQ polling program and how it could help students learn more in class, so he asked if he could learn the Perl programming language on his own and help me in some of my projects," he said. "It is a delight to have a student who is eager to learn, interested in so many different areas, and willing to use his knowledge to help others." ABOUT THE EXPERIMENT Schmelzenbach offered some background on the experiment he and Barnett helped to conduct. "Because of the complexity of even a single nucleus, much of our understanding comes through examining the properties of many different types of nuclei," he said. "Certain nuclei — a specific combination of neutrons and protons — are particularly interesting to examine and can help reveal new insights into the world." "The experiment studied the nucleus Neodynium 150 (Nd 150) using the University of Kentucky's 7 MeV Van de Graff accelerator," Barnett said. Schmelzenbach said collaborating with a student on a research project is a valuable experience on a number of levels. First, such projects contribute to the advancement of knowledge. "Various studies, like the experiment carried out this summer at the University of Kentucky and analyzed here at Erskine, provide a piece in a jigsaw puzzle," he said. "Each study can help us better understand the still somewhat mysterious force that holds the nucleus together." Participation in research is also helpful to him as a physics teacher. "It provides me with a connection to current findings, and applications of physical principles that I integrate into classes," he said. For students, research makes classroom studies come alive. "This, and other projects like it, are an important part of our physics students' development," Schmelzenbach said. "I consider the problems encountered and solved during a research project as what science is all about. "It is always exciting to see the skills we teach in the classroom successfully applied to real, much more complex situations outside of a textbook," he said. BACK AT ERSKINE After completing their week of work at the University of Kentucky, professor and student kicked back a little, making a small detour to eat at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken café. "The museum dedicated to Colonel Sanders was very interesting, but the food wasn't really different from any other KFC," Barnett observed. Barnett said he and Schmelzenbach left Kentucky about three days before the experiment actually ended. Then Barnett began the process of analyzing the collected data and continued that work throughout the summer. "All in all, working on this experiment has been an exciting and maturing experience," Barnett said. "I met several interesting people at Kentucky, began more seriously considering my options for graduate school, and gained a valuable perspective on the scientific fields outside of Erskine." "I hope to continue research projects that can take place both at Erskine and allow for collaboration with research universities and national laboratories," Schmelzenbach said. "One of the most fun things about this experience has been being able to tell people that I worked with a particle accelerator over the summer," Barnett said. Back at Erskine for the fall semester, Barnett continues working on his math and physics majors and his IT minor while serving as vice president of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). "SPS is taking part in several exciting activities, including a trip to Tennessee, where Zach will present some of our summer research results," Schmelzenbach said. "Other goals this year, of which Zach is an integral part, include outreach to area schools, construction of a large pendulum, participation in high school previews, and developing a physics society Web page," he said. Small wonder that Barnett, who is also involved in the service club Rotoract, the Ballroom Dance Club, and Relay for Life, has had to cut back on his commitments. "I was formerly a member of the Choraleers and Immix (the new a cappella ensemble)," he said.
The University of Kentucky particle accelerator |
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