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Bruce ThompsonAssociate Professor and ChairPhysics
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Elephant seismic signals - Using data from the Syracuse Zoo, the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and Dzanga Bai in Central African Republic, we have shown that elephants produce interesting seismic signals at the same time they produce acoustic ones. (For pictures of these field trips click on the names.) Current issues are whether they they sense and use the signals that they produce and how these signals propagate in various habitats. To take the next step, student Dan Varney '07 and I built a seismic generator to mimic the signals produced by the elephant feet. Student Alex Williamson '05 worked on the time series analysis processing of much of the acoustic and seismic data . Matrika Bhattarai '04 worked on seismic sensors and instrumentation. Jamie DeGregory '03 analyzed the mechanical properties of an elephant foot.
In December 2006, I received a grant together with members of the Bioacoustics Laboratory at Cornell University to study the effects of seismic exploration on the behavior of elephants in Loango Park, Gabon, Africa. Nik Batruch '08, Peter Wrege (Cornell) and I traveled to Gabon in March 2007 and placed 10 listening posts in the park, which are recording seismic and acoustic signals for 6 months. We will then analyze the recordings to develop methods of elephant census via acoustic and seismic signals and to determine the impact of scheduled oil exploration activities. A description of this project was published in the August 2007 H&S Newsletter and can be found at the following link: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/knowledges/fall2007/elephants/ Another article can be found at: http://fuse.ithaca.edu/948/
Electrodynamics with FDTD - The dynamic behavior of electric and magnetic fields can be simulated on a computer using a suitable algorithm. The Yee grid and algorithm has become the de facto standard for these calculations. Maksim Sipos '08 and I have been studying the algorithm and applying it to systems which simulate the fantastic world of invisibility and to microwave filters for low temperature research. A paper was published in the April/May issue of the American Journal of Physics.
Stellar occultations by asteroids - We are working with The International Occultation Timing Association group of observers who use occultation timing measurements to determine the size and shape of asteroid shadows on the Earth. This information can be combined with brightness measurements to give some indication of the surface composition. The method can also provide information about the eclipsed star. (See our paper in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, December 2006) I have worked on this program with students Tay Yeelin '07, David Whelan '06 and Kris Georgiev '08.
Exhibits and programs for the Sciencenter - I have a continuing interest in what makes a good exhibit for a hands-on science center. There is the goal of having the exhibit be approachable from many different levels and at many different times. Students have worked with me on exhibit and educational projects for the Sciencenter in Ithaca are: Matt Anderson '00 , Bettina Schimansky '01, Michelle Fura '01, Natalie Burek '05, and Lia Stelljes '08.
