The Department of Physics at the School of Science, University of Jordan (UJ) organised a motivational lecture on "Smart Physics with Smart Video Analysis and Motion Sensors," delivered by Dr. Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, LUMS Physics faculty who was invited by His Royal Highness, Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan to participate in the World Science Forum 2017 held in Jordan.
In his lecture, Dr. Anwar addressed some exciting projects that were carried out at the PhysLab at the Syed Babar School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), LUMS using high-speed cameras and motion sensors to capture physical phenomena, in particular kinematic problems. He explained how to use image and video processing techniques in tracking pendulums, springs, gyroscopes, and collisions.
He also presented interesting examples for studying non-linear motion such as vibrating strings and magnetic pendulums, as well as tracking the Brownian Motion of fine particles using a traditional microscope equipped with a camera. He stressed that smart devices serve experimental physics by improving the means of research and education in an amazing way, noting that one cannot separate teaching physics from practical experimentations.
According to Dr. Anwar, "motivational experimentation, even with techniques that have been developed in house, can inspire physics students to dive in the scientific research and enjoy the beauty of physics." In that context, he concluded the lecture by a short motivational video titled, ‘Chalo Sath Meray’.
Dr. Hanan Saadeh, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, UJ, in her welcoming speech indicated that this lecture aims to inspire both UJ students and faculty members by the unique experience of the PhysLab laboratory in terms of scientific experimentation. She praised Dr. Anwar's efforts in establishing such a laboratory in Pakistan, as his ideas have been replicated in five Pakistani universities so far.
The lecture was attended by the UJ Dean of the School of Science, Head of the Department of Physics, members of the teaching and administrative staff at the School, students and laboratory supervisors, and a number of guests.
At the end of the lecture, Dean of the School of Science, Prof. Sami Mahmood honoured Dr. Anwar. Moreover, Dr. Anwar visited research and teaching laboratories at UJ, namely JUVAC, Atomic Physics Laboratory, and Ibn Al-Haytham Laboratory, and discussed issues of common concern in physics with researchers and students there.
Dr. Anwar, Associate Professor of Physics at LUMS and General Secretary of Khwarizmi Science Society, holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Oxford and was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. His research interests encompass spintronics, magnetism and optics. He has published around fifty research articles in international journals including Science and Physical Review Letters. He is a recipient of the TWAS Medal in Physics 2008 and the National innovation Prize 2015.
To watch the short motivational video click here.
