Purdue University to Host Honeywell-Nobel Initiative

Apr 05, 12:48 PM

Current Headlines: WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- If there is anyone who really knows what time it is, it's John Hall.

The Nobel Laureate in Physics will bring his message to the Purdue University campus, focusing on the critical role that precise measurements play in advancing science, technology and even on our ability to accurately tell time.

Hall, scientist emeritus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and a fellow with the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics at the University of Colorado, will deliver the keynote address for the Honeywell-Nobel Initiative at 3:30 p.m. April 16 in Purdue's Loeb Playhouse.

The Honeywell-Nobel Initiative is a global education effort launched in 2006 that is designed to connect students across the globe with Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry and Physics. The Initiative combines on-campus events, the Honeywell Nobel Laureate Lecture Series, with web-based educational content created with Nobel Laureates, and broadcast programming. Purdue is one of 11 universities worldwide selected to participate in this groundbreaking educational program.

Hall's talk will highlight his research in laser measurement, its applications for clocks and other technical instruments as well as efforts by the physics community to prove many of the theories on space and time developed by Albert Einstein.

"Without precise measurements -- and our ability to record them accurately -- no reliable form of science or engineering would be possible," Hall said. "Advancements in technology, engineering, science, commerce and even the spoken word have been made only by pushing the threshold in how we measure the largest and the smallest units or particles in our vast universe."

Hall shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2005 for his role in developing laser-based precision spectroscopy, which allows scientists to measure frequencies with an accuracy up to 15 decimal places. The technique helps researchers study the stability of the constants of nature over time, such as the speed of light and gravitational force. It also makes it possible for researchers to develop extremely accurate clocks and improved global positioning satellite technology.

"Working with the Honeywell-Nobel Initiative on this project, Purdue will bring a leading international scientist into our classrooms and foster discussion about science and engineering," said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. "This nation's ability to advance the understanding of science and technology at all levels is critical in ensuring our competitive position in the global marketplace. Dr. Hall's lecture will shine the spotlight on that challenge."

After the lecture, Jischke will join Hall onstage for an informal conversation titled "What's Next for Science?" Their discussion will focus on how the academic world can help this nation in assessing the competitive, technological needs of a global economy.

"Honeywell is one of the world's leading technology companies," said Tom Buckmaster, president of Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "As such we have a vested interest in inspiring the next generation of physicists -- and who else can do that better than a 2005 Nobel Laureate of Dr Hall's standing and reputation? We are honored to partner with Purdue to bring this acclaimed scientist face-to-face with this university's best and brightest."

Hall, who received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in physics from Carnegie Institute of Technology, will participate in a number of student and faculty events the morning of his talk and the day after.

"Receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics was a great honor for me and my family, but the real joy from that recognition continues to this day when I meet with students and speak before groups who share my excitement about science," Hall said. "Purdue is a great research university, committed to advancing science and engineering. The excitement of its interdisciplinary research initiative at Discovery Park has created national and international interest."

He also will meet with Department of Physics head Andrew Hirsch and hear presentations from Anant Ramdas, the Karl Lark-Horovitz Distinguished Professor of Physics, and Leonid Rokhinson, assistant professor of physics and electrical and computer engineering.

While on campus, Hall will tour the Envision Center for Data Perceptualization. Located in Stewart Center, the center allows three- dimensional visualization of data, helping teams of researchers across disciplines collaborate on projects from automobile design to oil prospecting.

On April 17, Hall will meet with Discovery Park researchers and tour laboratories in the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship and the Bindley Bioscience Center.

Discovery Park is a $350 million complex, fostering interdisciplinary research in fields such as health care, nanotechnology, alternative energy sources, homeland security, life sciences, cyberinfrastructure, advanced manufacturing, cancer treatment, systems engineering, the environment and innovative learning.

Honeywell International is a $33 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Honeywell Hometown Solutions embodies the company's unique approach to corporate citizenship.

To date, Honeywell's award-winning science and math education programs -- including FMA Live!, Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy, Presidential Classroom and the Nobel Initiative -- have reached more than 150,000 students and teachers in 27 countries and 43 U.S. states.

Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones industrial average and a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

   Writers:  Phillip Fiorini, (765) 496-3133, (765) 427-3009 (cell),             pfiorini@purdue.edu             Jill Stueck, (973) 570-8840, jill.stueck@honeywell.com    Sources:  Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708, mcjischke@purdue.edu             John Hall, (303) 492-7843, jhall@jila.colorado.edu             Andrew Hirsch (765) 494-3000, hirsch@physics.purdue.edu             Michael Holland, Honeywell, (975) 455-2728,             michael.holland@honeywell.com    Publication-quality photo links             Martin C. Jischke:             http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2007/jischke-m05.jpg             John Hall: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2007/hall-john.jpg    Related Web sites:             Discovery Lecture Series: http://www.purdue.edu/dp/dls/hall             Nobel Prize in Physics 2005:             http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2005/             Honeywell-Nobel Initiative: http://www.honeywellscience.com/             Honeywell International: http://www.honeywell.com/             Discovery Park: http://discoverypark.purdue.edu/             Purdue Department of Physics: http://www.physics.purdue.edu/             Nobel Media AB: http://nobelprize.org/nobelmedia/index.html             Honeywell's history:             http://www.honeywell.com/sites/honeywell/ourhistory.htm   

Note to Journalists: Journalists interested in interviewing Dr. John Hall about his visit to Purdue in conjunction with the Honeywell-Nobel Initiative can contact Phillip Fiorini, Purdue News Service, at (765) 496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu, or can contact Ross Moonie (917) 690-5713, rmoonie@gmail.com, or Jill Stueck (973) 455-3450, jill.stueck@honeywell.com from Honeywell. Journalists also can arrange to meet with Purdue researchers who will be meeting with Dr. Hall or cover his tour of the many camps on campus and at Discovery Park.

Honeywell International

CONTACT: Phillip Fiorini of Purdue News Service, +1-765-496-3133, orpfiorini@purdue.edu, or Ross Moonie +1-917-690-5713, or rmoonie@gmail.com, orJill Stueck, +1-973-455-3450, jill.stueck@honeywell.com, both of Honeywell

Web site: http://www.honeywell.com/http://www.purdue.edu/dp/dls/hallhttp://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2005http://www.honeywellscience.com/http://discoverypark.purdue.edu/http://www.physics.purdue.edu/http://nobelprize.org/nobelmedia/index.html