Physics
The course
The Physics course of the Mad for Science programme of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation is a course developed jointly by the Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE) and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), aimed at 1st year A-Level students with a special interest and talent in physics. The basic purpose of this course is to foster the scientific vocation of these young people and especially their enthusiasm for physics. In some of the sessions students may come up with ideas and proposals for their A-Level Research Project that they will be able to carry out, as the case may be, with the support of the course faculty.
What does it mean to do research in physics? Not only is there an answer, but in the Physics course from the Mad for Science programme, we will see a whole series of projects that are at the border of research and thus we will understand what day-to-day research for a physicist is like. Studying the structure of the universe and the structure of matter, understanding quantum physics and putting them at the service of communications, developing sensors with new materials and fabricating detectors that are used in particle accelerators, analysing nature chaos processes and learning to master light and finding new applications.
The work of researchers in physics ranges from the smallest to the largest, from particles to atoms and to the entire cosmos. In this course we will be able to experience these various branches of physics and thus get a closer idea of what this research really looks like. And let's not forget about technology. Experimental and applied physics are closely linked to the development of new technologies that not only serve to study in detail what surrounds us, but also to advance society.
In this course you will find topics we know that interest you: quantum, cosmology, matter, particles... You will see the greatest scientific experiments and the most innovative applications. But one thing we want you to learn with this programme is to start thinking like a physicist. Because you will see that each and every one of us - in the theoretical and experimental, applied or fundamental - does very different things, but there is one thing that unites us: we all want to explain what surrounds us from simple principles. This is what defines a person who is really mad for physics.
The course will cover the following areas:
- Particle Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Photonics
- Cosmology
- Astrophysics
- Materials Science
- Astronomy
Specific objectives
Complements the academic studies
Promoting among young people the scientific vocations linked to the world of physics, taking into account different areas of application and research, while helping to guide their academic and professional future.
Research environment
Disseminating the research in frontier physics in research centres and universities in Catalonia.
Understanding the operation of research centres linked to Physics, a discipline that is much more diverse than what young students suspect.
Sessions 2024
Day: Saturday 27 January, 2024.
Location: IFAE.
Session by: Grup de ATLAS de I'Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
In this session we will discover the world of Quarks and Leptons with real-time data from the ATLAS detector at LHC, the largest particle accelerator in the world. After an introduction to basic research to study the fundamental forces and particles of the so-called standard model, we will delve into the methods researchers use: data analysis and hadron collision simulations.
Day: Saturday 3rd February, 2024.
Location: ICN2.
Session by: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
The electron is a subatomic particle with a negative elemental electric charge. Without electron microscopy we would not be able to see what nanomaterials we are making at ICN2. The scale at which we work at ICN2 makes electron microscopes the only tool that allows us to see nanomaterials in order to know more about their structure and to characterise morphologically, structurally and chemically the samples with which we work.
This session aims at the production, characterisation and subsequent observation by electron microscopy techniques of different nanostructured materials, mainly metal nanoparticles. If you want to do nanotechnology, you must master its use or know specialised staff such as the people taking this session.
For the practical session with electron microscopes we will be divided into several groups. You will have the opportunity to work with a scanning electron and a microscope to view real samples prepared here at ICN2. The session will last about 3 hours.
Day: Saturday 17th February, 2024.
Time: 9h a 14h.
Location: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Session by: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Day: Saturday 9th March, 2024.
Location: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Session by: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Paper is a material made of cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth. So why not use this material to make low-cost sensors? In this session we will learn the physical and chemical principles that will allow simple and efficient paper sensors to be designed, as well as the relationship between this material and nanotechnology.
Day: Saturday 6th April, 2024.
Location: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Session by: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Day: Saturday 20th April, 2024.
Location: Sincrotró ALBA.
Session by: Sincrotró ALBA.
The light source of the ALBA Synchrotron is the single most important scientific facility in southwest Europe. ALBA works like a giant microscope that allows the discovery of structures of matter at the atomic and molecular scale. The properties of the light it generates allow it to penetrate matter in an extremely selective manner, in areas such as physics, chemistry, biomedicine, cultural heritage, the environment, etc.
Day: Saturday 4th May, 2024.
Location: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Session by: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
One of the many surprising properties of liquid water is its high surface tension, which enables the formation of droplets. These droplets are stable at the usual relative humidities (30-40%), they defy the force of gravity and, in their absence, they can reach considerable sizes as the astronauts of the International Space Station often show us.
The high surface tension of water is based on hydrogen bonding. When droplets interact with surfaces, we can end up with two radically opposite situations: the droplets cover the surface (hydrophilicity) or are rejected by the surface (hydrophobicity). In the latter case the drops bounce elastically forming spectacular undulations. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic character can be controlled by modifying the surfaces. Non-hydrophobic surfaces become hydrophobic when we are able to artificially create micro/nanometric structures. This ability to control the interaction of water with surfaces has already found applications in fields as diverse as construction, optics, fabrics, etc.
Day: Saturday 18th May, 2024.
Location: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Session by: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Quantum computing uses a new logic based on the laws of quantum physics to solve problems that cannot be solved with classical computing. In this session we will introduce the basic concepts of quantum physics and how these are used in a new way of encoding and manipulating information. Finally we will explain how a quantum computer based on superconducting circuits works.
Day: Saturday 3th June, 2024.
Location: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Session by: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Day: Saturday 15th June, 2024.
Location: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Session by: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Dia: Saturday 14 September, 2024.
Location: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Session by: Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE).
Dia: Saturday 28th September, 2024.
Location: Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO).
Session by: Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO).
What do an optical fiber, an autonomous car, a solar panel and a pulse oximeter (one of the clips that doctors put on our fingers when they want to know how much oxygen is in our blood) have in common? They all work thanks to photonics, the science and technology of light!
At ICFO use photons as valuable and versatile tools to better understand our world and find solutions to global problems in fields as diverse as health, energy and information.
In this dynamic and interactive activity, you will work in groups to discover the potential of photonics, commenting on experiments and discussing the applications of photonics and the latest advances in these fields.
Day: Saturday 5 October, 2024.
Location: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
Session by: Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2).
This session aims to show the stages of manufacturing and measuring nanodevices and explain the connection between their electrical properties and their applications in electronics. That is why we will explain the challenges of modern electronics and connect them to the manufacturing and measurement technologies in our laboratories, explaining how we use our measurements to discern among the possible materials that, in the future, could become the basis of new technologies.
The practice has two components:
- Experimental session: How to make and measure nanodevices.
- Theoretical session: How to model the electrical response of these materials and observe how their behavior changes according to their size, when going from macro to nano.
Day: Saturday 19th October, 2024.
Location: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).
Session by: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).
The enthusiasm and high level of specialisation of many researchers often causes research into new materials in order to focus on inventions of high scientific interest, but which are difficult to apply to our everyday lives. However, there are cases when research efforts have resulted in products that could easily enter our daily lives.
What if this effort is made by Catalan researchers? What if they do it in collaboration with a Catalan company? In this session we will look at some of these (nano) materials, which can be used in the future in some applications that you could not even imagine existed!
Collaborating entities
The Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE) conducts experimental and theoretical research at the frontier of fundamental physics, namely particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. Participation in the LHC's ATLAS project, the T2K neutrino experiment in Japan, the MAGIC telescopes in La Palma, and the Dark Energy Survey in Chile, among others. The IFAE is also working at the forefront of sensing technologies by developing pixels detectors for high-energy physics, telescope cameras, detectors with medical applications and other scientific and industrial applications.
The Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) is a recognised research centre. Its research interests are focused on the newly discovered physical and chemical properties that emerge from the fascinating behaviour of nanoscale matter. ICN2's Mission is to achieve scientific and technological excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and to facilitate the adoption and integration of nanotechnologies in society and industry.
The ICN2 trustees are the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). The Institute promotes collaboration between scientists of various backgrounds (physics, chemistry, biology, or engineering) in order to develop basic and applied research, always pursuing interaction with local and global industry. ICN2 also trains nanotechnology researchers, undertakes numerous activities to facilitate the adoption of nanotechnology by industry, and promotes joint work between scientists, engineers, technicians, the world of business, society and politics.
The Barcelona Institute of Materials Science (ICMAB) is a research centre of the Higher Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), the largest research organisation in Spain that focuses its investigations on basic and applied research. With more than 20 years of experience, the ICMAB counts on 220 people with 57 permanent scientists. The initial and continuing mission of the ICMAB is to generate new knowledge in Materials Science and transfer it to society, particularly in the industry within the European Research Area.
The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) is a young institution whose goal is to push the boundaries of knowledge of photonics, science and light technology. Light, specifically laser light, is one of the most promising technologies available to humanity today. Its research programmes are framed on world-class frontiers and are aimed at addressing the significant challenges facing society at large. They focus on current and future problems in health, energy, information, security, protection and care of the environment.
The ALBA light synchrotron is a third generation scientific infrastructure located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona) and is the most important in the Mediterranean area. It is a complex of electron accelerators to produce synchrotron light, which allows you to visualise the atomic structure of materials and study their properties. It is managed by the Consortium for the Construction, Equipment and Exploitation of the Synchrotron Light Laboratory (CELLS) and funded equally by the Catalan and Spanish authorities.
The energy of the electron beam generated in the ALBA is 3 GeV and is achieved by combining a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a low-emitter thruster with maximum power placed in the same tunnel as the storage ring. The ALBA Synchrotron has a perimeter of 270 meters and 17 straight sections available for the installation of insertion devices. It has seven operating Phase I light lines, both soft and hard X-rays, which are mainly targeted at biosciences, condensed matter (nanoscience and magnetic and electronic properties), and materials science.
The mission of the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE) is to contribute to the general advancement in cosmic studies, helping to improve the scientific and technological capacity of the CSIC, as well as strengthen the presence of the CSIC in space initiatives, promoting excellence in all activities related to scientific research and its dissemination, as well as articulating the contribution of the CSIC to the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC).
The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) is a public university, rooted in the territory with an international vocation. Through quality teaching closely linked to research activity, it transfers scientific, technological, cultural and educational knowledge to society, promotes the potential of its human capital and manages the available resources responsibly. It is a knowledge ecosystem, in which the institutions linked to the UAB coexist and collaborate, consolidating this university among the leaders in the world rankings.
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