Physics and Astrophysics Undergraduate Programmes for 2020 Entry 2020 Entry | Page 21

PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS | 21
Research
Keele has dual research strengths in Physics and in Astrophysics
The Astrophysics group pursues a
range of observational, computational
and theoretical research programmes.
These are grouped into several
themes: “Exoplanet discovery and
characterisation” – Since 2006 Keele
astronomers have discovered more
than 150 planets around other stars
using the SuperWASP telescope and
are fully involved in future discovery
and characterisation missions. ”Stars:
formation, evolution and their impact”
– includes detailed computational
simulations of stellar interiors using
supercomputers in an effort to understand
the origins of chemical elements, and
detailed measurements of masses
and radii to test theoretical stellar
models. “Galaxies, star clusters and
the interstellar medium” - studies
the formation, dynamics and lifecycles
of stars in the Milky Way and beyond
using the world’s largest telescopes and
space-based observatories. How are
stars and star formation affected by their
environment and vice-versa?
These groups have international
reputations and regularly use major
international experimental and
observational facilities. They are
funded by UK and European research
councils and industry, supporting strong
postgraduate programmes with more than
15 full-time research PhD students.
Physics research is in two main areas The
“Condensed matter” group investigates
the physics of polymers, (examples
include DNA, rubber, chocolate and
various pharmaceuticals). Powerful
X-ray sources are used to probe the
atomic- scale structure of polymers,
investigating how and why they change
physically and how this impacts their use
in medical and industrial applications.
Other topics include the theoretical
and computational studies of novel
materials for use in renewable energy and
medical technologies. “Thermoacoustic
engineering” is the study of the
interaction of combustion with sound
waves. Applications include anything
from jet engines to gas turbines and
domestic boilers. The focus of current
research is in lean and low-temperature
combustion technology and the group
is leading the Pollution Knowhow and
Abatement (POLKA) project with 9
European partners.
As an undergraduate student at Keele,
you will benefit directly from this activity.
You will be taught by experts who
do forefront research and who bring
elements of their research into the BSc
degree courses (especially in many of
the Physics and Astrophysics option
modules and project work in Year 3). The
added expertise of postgraduate student
demonstrators will be available to you
in laboratory, problem class and tutorial
settings. And there are some opportunities
to work with members of staff on research
projects during the summer months
between your second and third years.
Opposite: The storage ring of the particle
accelerator at the European Synchrotron
Radiation Facility in Grenoble, where Keele
physicists do experiments to probe physical
processes in polymers.
The SuperWASP telescope array in South Africa,
built and operated by Keele astrophysicists to
search for extrasolar planets.
keele.ac.uk/physics