Secondary school students attend the Australian Institute of Physics State Lecture

More than 200 senior secondary science students attended the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) lecture Flying Frogs, Graphene and the 2010 Physics Nobel Prize on Monday August 1.

Hosted by USQ, the one hour lecture was presented by Queensland Micro and Nano Technology Centre Physicist and researcher, Professor John Dobson.

The lecture gave students a background into and understanding of the properties of the substance graphene. Despite its size, the one atom thick layer of carbon atoms is extremely strong and has remarkable electrical, mechanical and magnetic properties.

Professor Dobson discussed how its isolation in 2004 resulted in the award of the 2010 Physics Nobel Prize to Andrei Geim and Konstantin Novoselov of Manchester University.

The lecture also involved demonstrations and discussions that provided a motivating insight into the rich variety of physical ideas, technologies and concepts flowing from the discovery of grapheme.

The lecture was also presented at USQ Fraser Coast on Thursday August 4 as part of the travelling lecture series.

USQ Physicist Dr Brad Carter said it was great to see students engaging with science.

'It is great to see bright young minds engaging with some of the exciting physics research taking place in the world today.

'The USQ Faculty of Sciences has hosted the AIP lecture for many years and it is pleasing to see it remaining very popular with schools.'

Contact Details:
Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977