News

Faculty of Science researchers have successfully transferred quantum coherence through photons scattered in free-space for the first time, enabling new research opportunities and applications in fields ranging from quantum communication to imaging and beyond.

At first glance, astrophysics may not seem to have much in common with tracking and predicting the spread of a global virus. But to Professor Niayesh Afshordi, the link was clear – even early last year as our collective reaction to COVID-19 played out in real time.

This afternoon, Bob Lemieux, Dean of Science celebrated the amazing faculty and staff of the Faculty of Science that have received awards for teaching and research in the last four years (2018-2021), in addition to introducing the new faculty members, as well as recognizing faculty and staff who have retired since June 2018. 

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which started its main survey of the Universe on May 17 this year will allow researchers, including astrophysicists at the University of Waterloo, to study dark energy in ways that have not been possible before.

Researchers studying two-dimensional crystalline materials have observed an electromagnetic effect, called the nonlinear anomalous Hall effect, of unprecedented size. Their finding opens the door to exploring other quantum materials using their techniques and hints at promising applications in spintronic devices.

Researchers from Canada and the United Kingdom will test a new approach for secure communication using satellite-based quantum technology.

Lisa Christian, associate clinical professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science and Brenda Lee, lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy have been awarded the Faculty of Science's 2021 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards in recognition of their innovative and engaging teaching methods. 

With the transition this year to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been important to develop new strategies to teach courses in an online environment. Dr. Christian and Professor Lee have both showed a willingness to not only adapt but find new and innovative ways of using technology to connect with their students virtually. 

Water is essential for life as we know it – water makes up around 70% of the human body, covers about 70% of the planet Earth, has been found in the far reaches of our universe, and is at the centre of our search for habitable planets around other stars.

The black hole at the centre of the M87 galaxy is like a giant fire-breathing dragon that spews enormous jets of energetic particles at near light speeds across some 5,000 light years of space.

A new view of this black hole in polarized light, released today by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, will help astrophysicists understand just how those jets are launched by this monstrous black hole.