@UTKPhysAstro

Official X account for the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

 Nielsen Physics Building
phys.utk.edu
Joined November 2020
  • Tweets487
  • Following133
  • Followers283
262Media
UT Physics had a great showing @ the US Muon Collider Meeting @uchicago! Rithika Ganesan won the best poster presentation, w/ Caroline Riggall earning an honorable mention. UT helps lead the US Muon Collider community & our students are part of the effort! @ArtsSciencesUT
The UT physics delegation at the US Muon Collider Meeting in Chicago.

ALT The UT physics delegation at the US Muon Collider Meeting in Chicago.

1
1
5
400
Your favorite physics musicians are back! Science & Reason (Bains Professor Steven Johnston) and ColliderScope (Assistant Professor Larry Lee) will bring their unique sounds and imagery to Fly by Night on August 30. You won’t want to miss it! @ArtsSciencesUT
An image of text reading signal:noise; Science & Reason (DJ Set) plus ColliderScope (Physics VJ Set); Fly by Night; Knoxville, August 30, 2025; 9 PM; 21+

ALT An image of text reading signal:noise; Science & Reason (DJ Set) plus ColliderScope (Physics VJ Set); Fly by Night; Knoxville, August 30, 2025; 9 PM; 21+

3
131
Have you ever thought a physics talk was interesting, but wasn’t physics? Today Andrew Zangwill of Georgia Tech reviews the debate about what belongs in the canon of physics. Join us at 3:30 pm in 307 SERF! physics.utk.edu/news-events/… @ArtsSciencesUT
An image with a photo of Andrew Zangwill of the Georgia Tech School of Physics and the title "That's Not Physics" as the UT physics colloquium announcement for August 18 at 3:30 pm in 307 SERF.

ALT An image with a photo of Andrew Zangwill of the Georgia Tech School of Physics and the title "That's Not Physics" as the UT physics colloquium announcement for August 18 at 3:30 pm in 307 SERF.

3
110
We’re elated to welcome our new and returning Physics Vols to Rocky Top! The office staff is ready to meet and greet you on Monday as we get the semester started, so stop by Nielsen 401 between 8 am and 3 pm to enjoy a donut and say hello! @ArtsSciencesUT
An image announcing the department's August 18 meet and greet for our physics majors, 8am until 3pm, outside Nielsen 401.

ALT An image announcing the department's August 18 meet and greet for our physics majors, 8am until 3pm, outside Nielsen 401.

3
115
Our physicists’ research helps lay the building blocks for a new type of energy-efficient electronics called spin electronics. DOE’s Office of Science highlighted their work! energy.gov/science/bes/artic… @ArtsSciencesUT

Harnessing Entangled Spin Fluctuations for Advanced Spin Electronics

The spin fluctuations of an insulating quantum magnet determine how electricity flows in a nearby metal film.

energy.gov
1
2
112
Today was a terrific Big Orange Friday as we welcomed our new physics graduate students to the Volunteer Family! @ArtsSciencesUT
New physics graduate students gathered around a table at the fall 2025 welcome lunch

ALT New physics graduate students gathered around a table at the fall 2025 welcome lunch

3
142
Throughout Earth’s history, impacts from comets and asteroids have shaped our planet’s surface. Join us August 8 at our planetarium to learn about this majestic Firefall! eventbrite.com/e/firefall-ti… @ArtsSciencesUT
Artist's rendering of comets and asteroids falling from space with the text "Firefall."

ALT Artist's rendering of comets and asteroids falling from space with the text "Firefall."

1
2
134
Congrats to Shaun Vavra on his @ArtsSciencesUT Outstanding New Staff Member Award! His creativity and hard work mean our students learn in well-maintained labs and see amazing demos both in person and online. Thanks to CAS for hosting this celebration at Neyland Stadium!
A photo of Shaun Vavra beside the football field in Neyland Stadium.

ALT A photo of Shaun Vavra beside the football field in Neyland Stadium.

1
3
162
Assistant Professor Tova Holmes spoke with BBC’s Science in Action on a muon collider and what it means for the level of “Higgsiness” in the universe and the benefit to society from fundamental research. bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct6y… @BBCPodcasts @ArtsSciencesUT
3
5
261
With support from a prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship, UT Physics Associate Professor Jian Liu looks to develop materials and devices using quantum science to meet practical needs. physics.utk.edu/humboldt-fel… @ArtsSciencesUT
A photo of Jian Liu.

ALT A photo of Jian Liu.

1
2
182
Ever wondered why the sky is blue or Mars is red? Come see Cosmic Colors June 13 at our planetarium! Free for all ages but seating is limited, so register at: eventbrite.com/e/cosmic-colo…. @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities
An image of Earth surrounded by other photos.

ALT An image of Earth surrounded by other photos.

1
2
143
University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy retweeted
Donde Plowman@DondePlowman3 Jun 2025
Great to see Gov. Chair Dr. Steven Zinkle at RIKEN! His pioneering work on nuclear materials for fusion & space is powered by deep collaboration. Grateful to Dr. Robert Grzywacz, whose collaborative leadership in nuclear physics with Steven helps drive groundbreaking research.
3
7
1,233
University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy retweeted
Donde Plowman@DondePlowman3 Jun 2025
The discovery of Tennessine was a major milestone in the field of nuclear physics. Collaborating alongside RIKEN & @ORNL on these kinds of discoveries is pivotal not just for advancing science,but also for shaping the next generation of researchers. Glad to be in Tokyo together.
4
13
1,490
Tova Holmes and her colleagues have won Simons Foundation support to break new ground in particle physics and train young scientists to explore it. physics.utk.edu/tova-holmes-… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities

Tova Holmes Wins Simons Foundation Support for Muon Collider Groundwork - Physics & Astronomy

Assistant Professor Tova Holmes is part of a scientific trio that won $1 million from the Simons Foundation for muon collider groundwork.

physics.utk.edu
Simons Foundation
@SimonsFdn7 May 2025
Announcing our two new Targeted Grants in MPS: an ambitious muon collider project from @isobelo9, @KarriDiPetrillo & @tovaholmes + support of @CencaBridge, a nonprofit that provides opportunities to students in Central America and the Caribbean. simonsfoundation.org/2025/05… #science #math

Muon Collider Project and Research Internship Program Awarded Targeted Grants in MPS

An ambitious muon collider project and a nonprofit that supports students in Central America and the Caribbean are the newest recipients of the Simons Foundation’s Targeted Grants in MPS. The grants…

simonsfoundation.org
1
2
191
University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy retweeted
UT Arts & Sciences@ArtsSciencesUT28 May 2025
Congratulations to @UTKPhysAstro Assistant Professor Tova Holmes on receiving the Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement award at the recent Academic Honors Banquet hosted by the @UTProvost! 🏆 #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities
Two individuals on stage at an awards ceremony, one presenting an award to the other named Tova Holmes for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement, with a backdrop of flowers.

ALT Two individuals on stage at an awards ceremony, one presenting an award to the other named Tova Holmes for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement, with a backdrop of flowers.

1
2
127
Come to Fly by Night on Saturday and kick off summer with physics and electronic music! Your Harmonic Motion favorites are back with signal:noise. The show starts at 9 PM (21+, $5). physics.utk.edu/signalnoise/ @ArtsSciencesUT
Image text for signal:noise, DJ/VJ sets at Fly by Night in Knoxville, Tennessee, on May 24 at 9 PM.

ALT Image text for signal:noise, DJ/VJ sets at Fly by Night in Knoxville, Tennessee, on May 24 at 9 PM.

1
1
119
From academic achievements to innovative research to a Volunteer spirit of service, physics staff, students, and faculty celebrated another amazing year with Honors Day 2025! physics.utk.edu/honors-day-2… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities
Photo of UT Physics Honors Day Awardees Dien Nguyen and Ryan Elder in front of a UT Physics background.

ALT Photo of UT Physics Honors Day Awardees Dien Nguyen and Ryan Elder in front of a UT Physics background.

1
74
Friday we’re screening The Incredible Sun at the Nielsen Planetarium! Doors open @ 7:45 PM. Free for all ages, but seating is limited, so register at: eventbrite.com/e/the-incredi… @ArtsSciencesUT #EndlessOpportunities
An image of the Sun

ALT An image of the Sun

1
2
127
University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy retweeted
UT Arts & Sciences@ArtsSciencesUT30 Apr 2025
Replying to @UTKPhysAstro
@UTKPhysAstro Professor Steve Johnston was recently honored with an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award! Johnston is an internationally recognized leader in strongly correlated quantum materials. Read more: bit.ly/4cjbGYp #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities
Person holding a commemorative plaque stands in front of a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Arts and Sciences backdrop. The plaque is from the College of Arts & Sciences and recognizes Steve Johnston for winning an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award for his mid-career work.

ALT Person holding a commemorative plaque stands in front of a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Arts and Sciences backdrop. The plaque is from the College of Arts & Sciences and recognizes Steve Johnston for winning an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award for his mid-career work.

1
3
63
University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy retweeted
UT Arts & Sciences@ArtsSciencesUT28 Apr 2025
Replying to @UTKPhysAstro
@UTKPhysAstro Assistant Professor @tovaholmes was recently honored with an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award! Her funding record in her four years at UT is described as “staggering.” Read more: bit.ly/4cjbGYp #UTArtSci #EndlessOpportunities
Person holding a commemorative plaque stands in front of a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Arts and Sciences backdrop. The plaque is from the College of Arts & Sciences and recognizes Tova Holmes as winning an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award for her early career work.

ALT Person holding a commemorative plaque stands in front of a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Arts and Sciences backdrop. The plaque is from the College of Arts & Sciences and recognizes Tova Holmes as winning an Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement Award for her early career work.

1
1
62
Load more