IU nuclear physics project selected to advance major U.S. DOE initiative
Indiana University researchers are part of a five-year, $11.24 million initiative from the U.S. Department of Energy to solve challenging and complex issues central to advancing knowledge in nuclear physics.
The effort brings together the world’s top nuclear theorists to advance theoretical frameworks for the accurate prediction of nuclear interactions and properties of nuclear matter. It also is being undertaken as the U.S. government aims to dramatically expand its knowledge of nuclear matter—an area of research that has potential major implications for commerce, medicine and national security—as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which was signed into law last year and which IU was one of the first universities to support. (See the Economic Engagement Update below for information about an upcoming special forum on the CHIPS Act.)
As part of this work, IU physics professor Adam Szczepaniak is leading a project called “ExoHad,” which explores the physics of exotic hadrons — a largely unexplored group of subatomic particles governed by rules that still need to be discovered. Of the Department of Energy’s award, $1.8 million supports ExoHad, which includes other IU researchers and collaborators from across the world.
A Department of Energy news announcement underscored the potential major implications of the five nuclear physics projects that were selected to receive federal funding after a competitive review process.
“Advances in nuclear physics provide important new insights into the nature of our world as well as novel applications in the areas of national security, energy, health, and space exploration,” said Timothy Hallman, associate director of science for nuclear physics at the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. “Developing rigorous theoretical frameworks to underpin such advances enables new predictions of nuclear phenomena and a foundation for understanding how knowledge gained can be used to benefit society, such as exploring more clean energy options and new applications in nuclear medicine and industry.”
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Statehouse Update
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse, and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking and that moved during the fifth week of session. The House Ways and Means Committee took public testimony on the Governor’s proposed budget yesterday, so we are getting closer to seeing the House’s proposed budget before the House committee report deadline of Feb. 21st.
Read the Statehouse Update
Economic Engagement Update
Special forum on implementing CHIPS
The Manufacturing Policy Initiative, part of the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, will host a special online forum, next Friday, Feb. 17th, on implementing the CHIPS and Science Act. Melissa Roberts Chapman, director of entrepreneurship + ecosystems at the Federation of American Scientists, will join IU professors Sarah Bauerle Danzman and Sameeksha Desai for a panel discussion on the design and implementation of the CHIPS Act, its implications for innovation and what it means for regional competitiveness.
Learn more and register
IU researchers’ SMILES invention reflects rosy outlook for fluorescent materials market
In a new video, Indiana University Bloomington researchers and their colleagues talk about SMILES, the brightest-known fluorescent solid materials in existence, which were invented here at IU. SMILES recently received $1.8 million from a federal grant program created to spur the United States’ global competitiveness by speeding the manufacture of high-tech materials. SMILES has potential applications in any technology that needs bright fluorescence, such as solar panels, medical imaging devices, lasers and 3D displays.
Watch the video
Fastest-growing industry sector in Indiana? Transportation and warehousing
Manufacturing is the Indiana sector with the most employment growth over the last decade, but transportation and warehousing is the state’s fastest-growing industry. A new report from the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business explores the industries experiencing the most employment growth in Indiana and how they stack up in terms of employment growth relative to the nation. The IBRC analysis also takes a special look at the growth “momentum” of Indiana’s industry sectors, comparing which industries have momentum in Indiana vs. which ones have the most momentum nationally.
Read the analysis
Bringing together the best of IU’s global network of innovators, entrepreneurs
Indiana University-affiliated entrepreneurs, innovators and investors who are driving economic growth in the Midwest U.S. and beyond through the development of venture capital-backed businesses will return to the IU Bloomington campus this spring for new annual summit hosted by IU Ventures, the university’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm. The IU Founders & Funders Network Venture Summit, which will be held May 18th-19th at the Indiana Memorial Union, will feature “fireside chats” with IU Head Football Coach Tom Allen, IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson, “iconic” entrepreneur Scott Dorsey, leaders of IU’s NIL movement, the newest Spirit of Venture Award-winners and more.
Learn more about and register for the event
IU in the news
IU researchers receive major Department of Defense grant to study heart defect in infants
IU School of Medicine researchers have received a Department of Defense Discovery Award of $200,000 to study a common congenital heart defect in babies called coarctation of the aorta.
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Electronic health records may miss common barriers to health
Researchers at the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health have found that popular electronic health record screening questionnaires may miss many patients experiencing housing instability and financial strain.
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Kelley MBA student, alum set to play in Super Bowl
As the Kansas City Chiefs make their third Super Bowl appearance in four years, two team players with ties to Indiana University also are poised to return to the big game.
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