Did you know the spin of electrons can be used to create smaller, faster, cheaper and more energy-efficient devices? Assistant professor of physics Liz Golovatski has conducted research in “spintronics” ever since writing her dissertation on the topic, and Sydney Pratt ’18 won a research grant to work with her this summer.
Pratt, a physics and math major from Cedar Rapids, is now creating new code and simulations that can eventually help develop designs for superior hard drives and other magnetic memory devices. “I’ve always been curious about how stuff works, and physics answers those questions,” Pratt says. “I loved my classes with Dr. Golovatski — she’s so excited about what she does, and I knew it would be really fun to work with her.”
After spending last summer doing physics research at the University of Illinois, Pratt says she’s glad to spend this summer at home at Central. “It made me realize how much I love working one-on-one in the small school atmosphere. Plus, it’s nice to spend my last summer on campus surrounded by friends and familiar faces.”
All Central’s summer researchers will present their work at a symposium on campus this year. Soon after, many also plan to take their studies to international conferences and publications to share their findings.
Read about more summer research to discover Central students’ work in taboo language, jury psychology, prairie biology and more.
