Joseph Poon
Encyclopedia
Joseph Poon is William Barton Rogers Professor of Physics
at the University of Virginia
. He is famous for cross-disciplinary research applying physics principles to design, synthesize, and investigate amorphous metals, nano-structured materials, and intermetallic compounds. For his advances in research on Amorphous metal
, he was cited in the Scientific American 50 leaders in 2004 . He also was elected Fellow in the American Physical Society
.
Poon received his education at the California Institute of Technology
, where he got a B.S.
and Ph.D.
degree in Applied physics
.
He has acquired multi-million dollars grants from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
for the potentially revolutionary applications of amorphous metals in defense industry,
The term "cross-disciplinary research" had a storybook meaning for Poon and Materials Science
Professor Gary Shiflet who was also cited in the Scientific American 50 leaders. When they first met in 1985, they merely had a common interest in "quasi crystals," materials that have an unusual atomic structure. It turned out that Shiflet was holding on to a library textbook on phase transformation, which Poon needed for his teaching reference. They resolved the situation through collaboration, an approach they have continued ever since.
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. He is famous for cross-disciplinary research applying physics principles to design, synthesize, and investigate amorphous metals, nano-structured materials, and intermetallic compounds. For his advances in research on Amorphous metal
Amorphous metal
An amorphous metal is a metallic material with a disordered atomic-scale structure. In contrast to most metals, which are crystalline and therefore have a highly ordered arrangement of atoms, amorphous alloys are non-crystalline...
, he was cited in the Scientific American 50 leaders in 2004 . He also was elected Fellow in the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
.
Poon received his education at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, where he got a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in Applied physics
Applied physics
Applied physics is a general term for physics which is intended for a particular technological or practical use.It is usually considered as a bridge or a connection between "pure" physics and engineering....
.
He has acquired multi-million dollars grants from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military...
for the potentially revolutionary applications of amorphous metals in defense industry,
The term "cross-disciplinary research" had a storybook meaning for Poon and Materials Science
Materials science
Materials science is an interdisciplinary field applying the properties of matter to various areas of science and engineering. This scientific field investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. It incorporates...
Professor Gary Shiflet who was also cited in the Scientific American 50 leaders. When they first met in 1985, they merely had a common interest in "quasi crystals," materials that have an unusual atomic structure. It turned out that Shiflet was holding on to a library textbook on phase transformation, which Poon needed for his teaching reference. They resolved the situation through collaboration, an approach they have continued ever since.