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Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society

Welcome to the IPFW Chapter web site. UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigma Xi is an international, multidisciplinary research society whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise and honor scientific achievement. Sigma Xi publishes the award-winning American Scientist magazine, awards hundreds of grants annually to promising student researchers and sponsors a variety of programs that serve science and society. Primary programmatic interests include research ethics, science and engineering education, the public understanding of science, international research networking and the overall health of the research enterprise.

Sigma Xi is an honor society, with membership by invitation only, although many of our local events and presentations are open to the general public.

This is the new (under construction) web site for the IPFW local chapter.

 

Recent and Upcoming Events

 
PI Math Club and SPS Physics Club:
Adam Coffman, Packing ellipsoids. Monday, Nov. 17, noon in KT216.
  • This talk is on the geometry of three-dimensional shapes fitting together in a volume of space. There will be a demonstration of some recent physics experiments showing the packing density of solid ellipsoids randomly jammed into a finite volume.
To sign up for this semester's Brown Bag Series talks, e-mail Adam Coffman.

Sigma Xi 2008 Annual Banquet

Tuesday, April 29, 2008, Cash Bar 6:00, Dinner 6:30
Blu Tomato Restaurant, 2878 Maplecrest Road in Fort Wayne

Following dinner: student awards and presentation by College Science Teacher of the Year awardee,

Dr. Michelle Drouin, Dept. of Psychology, What's a Table? The challenges and triumphs of engaging students in critical thinking activities.

Congratulations to winners of the 2008 IPFW Sigma Xi Student Research Competition
- First Place for Brian Putman, Department of Biology (Faculty mentor, Dr. Bruce Kingsbury)
- Second place for Misty Wolfe, Department of Anthropology (Faculty mentor, Dr. Harold Odden)
- Third place for Kristine Palmer, Department of Biology (Faculty mentor, Dr. Robert Visalli)

Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer

Edward B. Saff, Vanderbilt University, The Poppy-Seed Bagel Theorem: An easily digestible result on
minimum energy points. March 25, 2008.

  • Abstract: For a surface A in 3-space, such as a sphere or torus (a.k.a. bagel), we analyze the behavior of optimal (and near optimal) N-point configurations on A that minimize the so-called Riesz s-energy over all N-point subsets of A, where s > 0 is a parameter. (The case s = 1 corresponds to the familiar Coulomb potential while large s corresponds (in the limit) to best-packing.) For large N and suitable s we show that such configurations are uniformly distributed with respect to surface area on A. Applications to problems in chemistry, physics and biology will be discussed. Many graphical illustrations will help make this introductory talk accessible to students as well as to the general science faculty. Cream cheese is optional!
 Saff torus image

IPFW Sigma Xi Chapter

  • Officers
  • Award Winners
  • Annual Award Nominations and Forms
  • Events and Photos Archive
  • Contact
  • Web author: CoffmanA (at) ipfw.edu

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