January 2019 • Vol. 28, No. 1 A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Plasma physics and plants APS.ORG/APSNEWS Page 3 Highlights from 2018 Blending Paint with Physics The editors of Physics (physics. The experiments sparked a series By Leah Poffenberger aps.org) look back at their favorite of theoretical studies, each attempt- 2018 APS Division of Fluid stories of 2018, from groundbreak- ing to explain this unconventional Dynamics Meeting, Atlanta— ing research to a poem inspired by behavior (see physics.aps.org/ Five years ago, Roberto Zenit, a quantum physics. articles/v11/84). One prediction physics professor at the National Graphene: A New indicates that twisted graphene’s Autonomous University of Mexico, superconductivity might also be Superconductor later reported the first observation was studying biological flows when topological, a desirable property 2018’s splashiest condensed- of the Higgs boson decaying into art historian Sandra Zetina enlisted for quantum computation. matter-physics result came bottom quarks (see physics.aps.org/ him for a project: using fluid from two sheets of graphene. The Higgs Shows up with the articles/v11/91). This decay is the dynamics to uncover the secret Researchers in the USA and Japan Heaviest Quarks most likely fate of the Higgs boson, behind modern art techniques. reported finding superconductiv- After detecting the Higgs boson but it was extremely difficult to At this year’s Division of Fluid ity in stacked graphene bilayers in 2012, the next order of business see above the heavy background Dynamics meeting—his 20th— ids, a person who has developed in which one layer is twisted with was testing whether it behaves as of bottom quarks generated in a Zenit, an APS Fellow and member certain knowledge about the way respect to the other. The supercon- expected. Two such experiments typical experiment. So far, all mea- of the editorial board of Physical the fluids behave. Painting is fluid ductivity they saw resembles that of at CERN, which measured the surements agree with the standard Review Fluids, presented the work mechanical.” high-temperature superconductors, interactions of the heaviest quarks model of particle physics, but the of a cross-disciplinary collabora- In the 19th century, modern art potentially allowing use of twisted with the Higgs, attained the gold uncertainties have enough wiggle tion that tapped into the minds of emerged as an artistic movement graphene as a model system for standard of “5 sigma” statistical room to allow for new physics. influential modern artists. studying this behavior. The group significance. Analyzing proton- “I’m not qualified to tell you through rejection of traditional Dark Matter Theories Take took the APS March Meeting by proton collisions, CMS and ATLAS about art, but I do know that every artistic methods and the adoption Their Lumps storm when they announced the determined the interaction strength painting starts in the same place,” of new ideas in painting. The tech- Plenty of shakeups this year result in a standing-room-only between the top quark and the said Zenit during his invited talk. niques created as part of a 1936 in the realm of dark matter. With talk, which was also live-streamed Higgs boson by measuring how “There’s a blank canvas, and then artists’ workshop held by Mexican a disappointing showing from to hundreds more gathered around often the Higgs boson is produced materials to create the art with cer- painter David Alfaro Siqueiros the main dark matter contenders a screen in a foyer at the Los with a top quark and a top anti- tain properties, certain viscosities, were influential in the develop- called WIMPs, other “less WIMPy” Angeles Convention Center (see quark (see physics.aps.org/articles/ and densities, and then you need ment of modern artistic methods physics.aps.org/articles/v11/27). v11/56). The same collaborations HIGHLIGHTS continued on page 6 somebody who knows about flu- PAINT continued on page 6 APS Membership Unit Profile: The Forum for Early Career Scientists International News The APS Task Force on Expanding International Engagement By Abigail Dove By Jonathan Bagger The APS Forum for Early Career Scientists (FECS) provides Editor’s note: The following is range of research interests and support and mentorship to post- an introduction and accompani- leadership experiences. The Task docs as they navigate through the ment to this month’s Back Page Force worked for nearly 18 months early stages of their career, whether (p. 8). to understand the priorities of all in academia or industry, in the US Physics is a worldwide effort. APS stakeholders and to identify or abroad, or even a scientific field Today, close to one quarter of APS goals and recommendations for the other than physics. This support members live outside the United Society’s leadership. As Chair of spans from the professional— States. Three-quarters of the papers the Task Force, I am deeply grate- including networking opportuni- published in APS journals have ful for the time and talent they ties with senior scientists in various corresponding authors with inter- devoted to the task, as well as for physics careers, resources to help Maria Longobardi national affiliations. And so much input and guidance we received with successful grant writing, and of science is done by collaborations from the APS Board and Council, funding for conference travel—to of Jason Gardner (chair-elect that cross national borders. APS journal editors and staff, and the practical—including support whose term will begin in 2019). What is the role of APS in this APS members worldwide. and advice around changes in geo- Longobardi and Gardner met global endeavor? The Society’s Our committee’s report iden- Jonathan Bagger graphical location, particularly for while serving in the APS Forum Office of International Affairs tified guiding principles, shared ommendations will have the most moving abroad. for International Physics (FIP), has long been part of the APS, values, overarching goals, a set impact. This will be done with the Established in 2016, FECS is and the idea for FECS was born advancing physics, furthering of supporting recommendations, guidance of the APS Committee a relative newcomer to APS, but from the perceived shortcom- cross-cultural communication, and as well as an implementation on International Scientific Affairs the forum’s fast-growing member- ings Longobardi observed in the speaking out for oppressed scien- plan. In November 2018, I was (CISA) and the APS Office of ship of nearly four thousand under- mentorship and support she and tists. Today, the APS Committee proud to present the Task Force’s International Affairs, in coordina- scores the appetite for this kind of her colleagues received while on International Scientific Affairs Report, Recommendations & tion with other APS committees mentorship and support among navigating twists and turns in their and the APS Office of International Implementation Plan to the APS and departments. early career scientists embarking career trajectories and locations as Affairs have built a portfolio of Council of Representatives at its Our primary recommendation on the next phase of their profes- young scientists. Longobardi is a programs that serve APS members meeting in Dallas, Texas. Our rec- is that APS deepen its international sional lives. gravitational wave theorist turned and physicists worldwide. ommendations were well received engagement across the full range of FECS was founded by Maria condensed matter experimentalist, But there is clearly more to and fully adopted by the Council. Society activities. This is a transfor- Longobardi (who has served as now working at the intersection of do. The APS strategic plan that I am pleased that APS members mational recommendation, one that chair since 2016) with the help FECS continued on page 5 covered the years 2013 to 2017 will learn more about this effort affects the entire APS, not just the identified expanding international on the Back Page of this issue of programs under the direct purview engagement as a key goal of the APS News. Likewise, the full report of the APS Office of International Society, and in March 2017, APS is available on the APS website at Affairs. We believe that our report Chief Executive Officer Kate aps.org/programs/international/. can serve as a useful guide towards Kirby launched the APS Task In reading the Back Page, you expanding the Society’s service, Force on Expanding International will see that our wide-ranging rec- not just to APS members, but to Engagement. ommendations affect all aspects the entire international physics The Task Force was composed of APS. Our implementation plan community. of 12 APS members living or work- provides concrete actions the ing across the globe with a broad Society can take to ensure our rec- TASK FORCE continued on page 5 2 • January 2019 Shoucheng Zhang 1963-2018 This Month in Physics History By Daniel Garisto Shoucheng Zhang, a theoretical physicist whose research pushed January 6, 1912: Alfred Wegener the frontiers of understanding Presents His Theory of Continental Drift exotic states of matter, has died at 55. His family released a statement he notion that the continents were once joined saying that he had passed away together dates back to at least the 16th cen- “after fighting a battle with depres- T tury, with the Flemish cartographer and geographer sion.” News outlets have reported Abraham Ortelius. Ortelius created the first modern that the family confirmed Zhang atlas: the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the died from suicide. World). He noted how the geometry of the coasts of Zhang, a pioneer in topologi- America and Europe/Africa seemed to match like cal insulators, also worked on pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, and proposed they had high temperature superconductiv- Shoucheng Zhang gradually drifted apart over time due to earthquakes ity and predicted the quantum spin With Kivelson and Hans and floods.