The major research interests in the Department are in the areas of Materials and Thin films, Solar Energy and Lighting, Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Analysis, Medical Physics, Physics Education, Theoretical Physics and Computational Physics and High Performance Computer Modelling. There are major funded research projects currently underway in all these areas, and several of the projects link closely with industry. There is also significant interaction between the Department and other research organisations such as CSIRO, ANSTO and other Australian Universities. Extensive experimental facilities and powerful computing facilities are available within the University and through external collaboration. Studies based in industry or other locations are possible.

Theoretical and Computational Physics

• parallel computing in physics
• atmospheric processes, greenhouse impacts on weather
• data visualisation and imaging techniques
• optical, electrical, mechanical properties of nanostructures and composite media
• defects and impurity states in semiconductors and insulators energy efficiency and daylight simulation in buildings
• semiconductor surface and molecular simulation
• advanced finite element techniques

Advanced Materials,Preparation, Structure, Properties and Applications

• thin films, hard coatings, multilayers
• solar energy , daylighting, light collection and distribution, advanced window coatings
• ellipsometry, cathodoluminescence, nanostructures
• electron microscopy, AFM, opto-electronic materials, electron diffraction
• x-ray, neutron diffraction studies of materials and films, X-ray optics
• inclusions, defects and optical properties in ceramic materials and polymers

Medical physics and Biomedical Technology

• medical imaging, tomography
• brain activated switching systems
• acoustics, ultrasonics
• biosensors, nanodevices, self-assembled layers, ultra dilute systems

Physics Education

• computers in science education, cross-cultural science education
• multi-media and WEB based teaching, flexible learning

Environmental Physics

• applications of robotic aircraft, tropical cyclones
• solar energy, daylighting, light collection and distribution,
• radiative cooling water reclamation from saline groundwater using solar energy,
• solar ponds atmospheric processes,
• greenhouse impacts on weather

Candidates for Postgraduate Degrees are eligible to apply for Commonwealth Postgraduate Awards and University Awards. Other forms of support are available from time to time through funded research projects. Part time study is available in all Postgraduate courses.

For further Information contact:
Geoff Smith
Phone 61-2-9514 2224 Fax 61-2-9514 2219
e-mail Geoff.Smith@uts.edu.au