UTK Department of Physics and Astronomy

09/17/2026

A great student opportunity!

Calling all Arts & Sciences students! 🚨

We're looking for the next group of UT College of Arts and Sciences ambassadors!

If you think you can represent the best our college has to offer to future Vols, the time to apply for this paid opportunity is now.

Learn more about becoming an ambassador: https://artsci.utk.edu/about/directory/student-ambassadors/

09/14/2026

Today’s colloquium features Linda Kah of , who’ll discuss how our understanding of Mars is evolving based on data from the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
physics.utk.edu/news-events/colloquia-series/

09/09/2026

Physics majors are back in class this fall, many of them returning with a summer’s worth of research experience. Six of our undergraduates spent the summer working on physics projects at national laboratories through the Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program. They got to see how the science they study in classes comes together in real-world research.
physics.utk.edu/a-suli-summer-for-physics-undergraduates/

08/31/2026

In today’s colloquium Assistant Professor Yang Zhang will show how his group uses AI to understand electron pairing in realistic materials.
physics.utk.edu/news-events/colloquia-series/

08/27/2026

“World-leading neutron science, supercomputing, AI, quantum materials expertise, and national laboratory partnerships all come together in one place to tackle scientific challenges that are beyond the reach of conventional computing approaches.”—Physics Professor Alan Tennant on UT’s Center for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, highlighted in this feature
https://artsci.utk.edu/material-results-for-the-quantum-ecosystem/

The Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing connects cutting-edge UT research with shared state-of-the-art facilities, federal laboratory partnerships, industry connections, and student training programs. Introducing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Materials Research Science and Engin...

08/24/2026

Join us today for the first colloquium of the year! Assistant Professor Joon Sue Lee will discuss his team's efforts using molecular beam epitaxy as a platform for controlling topological quantum phases.
physics.utk.edu/news-events/colloquia-series/

08/19/2026

We’re off to a great year in UT Physics! From hosting a lunch for our new grad students to inviting undergrads to spin the wheel for prizes, we’re delighted to welcome back our students!
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08/13/2026

Everyone is invited for a public lecture on Saturday, August 22, when Physics Professor Norman Mannella presents “Quantum Mechanics: A Centennial Story (1925-2025).” The event is free but space is limited, so registration is required.
Details at https://physics.utk.edu/public-lecture-on-quantum-mechanics/
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07/21/2026

We love to take the show on the road! Last month Physics Graduate Students Josh Kipiller, Colter Richardson, and Kya Schluterman helped Astronomy Outreach Coordinator Paul Lewis with a telescope event at Blackberry Farm. They had some great subject matter, including a trio of galaxies in Leo (Hamburger Galaxy, M66 and M65) and a crescent moon.
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06/01/2026

In a recent Physical Review Letters publication, Assistant Professor Haocun Yu and colleagues show how a tabletop experiment can bring together two bedrock physics theories: quantum mechanics and general relativity.
physics.utk.edu/reconciling-fundamental-physics/