Department of Physics and Astronomy

News

Astronomers capture the birth of planets around a baby sun outside our solar system

AP — Astronomers have discovered the earliest seeds of rocky planets forming in the gas around a baby sun-like star, providing a precious peek into the dawn of our own solar system. Purdue PhysAstro's Merel van ’t Hoff was quoted in the article.

2025 NFS Graduate Research Fellowship Program announces awardees and honorable mentions

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) which included 24 awardees and 28 honorable mentions from Purdue University. Of the pool of innovators, the Purdue University College of Science students stood out with twelve awardee offers and eight honorable mentions.

Laura Pyrak-Nolte Elected Fellow of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

Purdue University's Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte, Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, has been elected a Fellow of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM). The highest recognition awarded by the global rock mechanics community.

CollabXR advances education through successful pilot program

Purdue University’s Envision Center (EC) is ushering in the next generation of teaching and learning by leveraging their cutting-edge virtual reality platform, CollabXR. CollabXR is a shared learning platform that puts advanced visualizations at the fingertips of professors and students, immersing them in a learning environment like never before. The collaboration was created in partnership with Danny Milisavljevic from Purdue PhysAstro.

Quantum Materials and Manufacturing: Building the Future

Discover how quantum materials are driving innovations in manufacturing, leading to stronger, lighter, and more efficient products. Purdue PhysAstro's Michael Manfra will be a panelist for the July 14th webinar.

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