Condensed concepts

Research over the past few decades, particularly studies in business and management, has shown, that humility works. It is a powerful force for good and increases the chance of success in a range of human endeavors. Surprisingly to some, the meek do inherit the earth! John Dickson summarizes some of this social science research in his book, Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership . Dickson defines humility as follows: “Humility is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself . More simply, you could say the humble person is marked by a willingness to hold power in service of others. Humility presupposes your dignity …Humility is willing . It is a choice. Otherwise, it is humiliation…Humility is social . It is not a private act of self-depreciation…Humility is more about how I treat others than how I think about myself.”   Jim Collins, was a Professor at Stanford University when he led a large team

My colleagues and I just put a preprint on the arXiv. I am particularly proud of it.  As always, comments would be appreciated. Equivalence of elastic and Ising models for spin-crossover materials Gian Ruzzi, Jace Cruddas, Ross H. McKenzie, Ben J. Powell   Spin crossover (SCO) materials are reversible molecular switches; and occur in a wide range of near octahedral transition metal complexes and frameworks with d4−d7 electron configurations. SCO systems present collective spin-state phase transitions that show hysteresis, multistep transitions, gradual transitions, and anti-ferroelastic phases. Ising models have often been employed to model these behaviors, as they are far easier to solve than more realistic elastic models. However, previously Ising models have required phenomenological parameters that do not have a clear physical origin.   We present an exact mapping from an elastic model of balls and springs to the Ising model. The resulting Ising coupling constants arise only from t

I have now finished my first draft of   Chapter 7  of  Condensed Matter Physics: A Very Short Introduction.  The main purpose of the chapter is to introduce quantum states of matter. It is arguably the most challenging of the chapters to write and to understand. But, it is potentially the most fascinating. I welcome comments and suggestions. However, bear in mind that my target audience is not the typical reader of this blog, but rather your non-physicist friends and family. I think it still needs a lot of work, particularly to be less technical. For example, I should probably drop Aharonov Bohm ... The goal is for the chapter to be interesting, accessible, and bring out the excitement and importance of condensed matter physics.

Over history, a number of images have become iconic representations of science in the public mind. Here are some that I am particularly aware of. 1. solar system This represents the predictability of Newtonian mechanics and the fact that we don't live in a geocentric universe. 2. microscope This represents the whole new world that opened up. It is interesting that I don't think the telescope gets quite as much attention. 3.  atom It is interesting that this classical picture has persisted in spite of quantum theory. Furthermore, this atom has often actually been equated more with nuclear physics, rather than actual atomic physics. 4. double helix of DNA This has come to represent not just molecular biology but genetic engineering in particular. What do you think? Are these the most significant and popular images of science? Now I come to my main point.  Is the image below of a SARS-CoV2 virion going to become an iconic scientific image?

Science requires humility. Any scientific investigation starts with acknowledging ignorance. Scientific progress requires a willingness to admit mistakes and accept evidence, even when it goes against cherished and esteemed beliefs, theories, and colleagues. As a scientist, I am fascinated by the science of covid-19, from the genetic code of the virus to the mathematical modeling of epidemics. I find it amazing how much we do know. It is also amazing how much we do not know. The SARS-CoV2 virus is one of many coronaviruses; a name derived from the crown-like appearance of a virus particle in an electron microscope. The points on the crown are called spike proteins; they are attached to a spherical surface composed of other proteins. The diameter of the virus particle is about one-tenth of a micron. If you lined up ten thousand particles next to each other in a straight line they would be the size of a pinhead. The complete details of the atomic composition and geometrical arrangement