Top Features

Turning Opportunity into Gold(water)
Goldwater Scholar Rebecca LaVerne Winzer uses her research to provide a foundation for future physics success.
» Read more about Rebecca

More Power: Taking Education Up a Notch
One computer just wouldn’t cut it for Larz White's research. Larz found fellow physics graduate Chris Mirabzadeh with an interest in computer to help with his plan. Together they built Dirac, a supercomputer.
» Read more about Dirac

Proposed AVIATR Project Captures the Scientific Imagination
Jason Barnes of the Physics Department is the lead scientist on an exciting proposal for unmanned exploration of Saturn's moon Titan.
» Read more about AVIATR

Sciences Makes Waves at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival had a new feature this year: academic-themed workshops for for visiting high school students. Faculty from Physics and Mathematics conducted workshops highlighting connections between music and the fields they teach.
» Read more about the Science workshop

Out-of-this-World Research
Jacob Bow, a 2011 Goldwater Scholar and a National Merit Scholar, spends his spare time mapping the surface of a Saturn moon and researching nanomechanics.
» Follow Jacob's Journey

Witness to an explosive history
Retired physics professor, Lawrence H. Johnston, is only man alive who saw all three atomic explosions.
» Read more about Johnston's experience

NASA Fuels U-Idaho Scientist’s Research of Outer Space
Physicist Jason Barnes studies Titan, one of Saturn’s moons
» Learn about Jason's research

Changing the World One Nanoparticle at a Time
Quinn MacPherson's achievements led to him being named a Goldwater Scholar – a prestigious national award that recognizes excellence in science and mathematics.
» Learn about Quinn's achievements in materials science engineering and physics

Idaho “Nose” Explosive Detection: Grant Helps Develop Electronic Sniffer
University of Idaho researchers are nose-deep in sniffing out explosive vapors thanks to a recent $900,000 three-year grant from the Department of Defense for the detection of explosives.
» Read more about Professors Hrdlicka & McIlroy's explosive detecting device.

Jacob Turner - Physics Graduate Student
Get advice from a current graduate student in our physics department.
» Read Q&A session

Generation of Ball Lightning through a Dual Core Plasma Model
Brian Hare - Physics Junior
Ball lightning is a mysterious weather phenomenon, appearing as a bright spherical object.
» Read more about Brian's project.

The John B. George Award
Presented to an outstanding graduating senior
"For academic achievement and service to the university"
» Read about Brian Faulkner, 2010 Award Recipient

Alumni Hall of Fame
Recognizing alumni who have achieved national or international distinction
» Daniel Frye - 2010 Inductee