Matthew Koss
Encyclopedia
Matthew B. Koss is a widely published solid state physicist.
He received his AB degree from Vassar College
in 1983 and a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
from Tufts University
in 1989.
From 1990 to 2000 he worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
as the Lead Scientist for the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), a basic microgravity research project on dendritic solidification
that conducted Space Shuttle flight experiments on STS-62, -75, and -87.
He is currently the Principal Investigator of the Transient Dendritic Solidification Experiment (TDSE) http://spacescience.spaceref.com:16080/colloquia/mmsm/koss_ora.pdf, a flight experiment being prepared for operations on the International Space Station
in 2006.
In June 2003, Koss created a controversy by authoring an Op Ed
article in the New York Times claiming that scientists bore partial responsibility for the space shuttle Columbia disaster. He argued that most micro-gravity scientific experiments did not require manned space missions, but were used to sell the space program. The article drew widespread attention, and resulted in congressional hearings at which Koss appeared.
. He continues his isothermal dendritic growth research and in 2005 began research on the physics of baseball.
He received his AB degree from Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in 1983 and a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
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...
from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
in 1989.
From 1990 to 2000 he worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
as the Lead Scientist for the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), a basic microgravity research project on dendritic solidification
Dendrite (crystal)
A crystal dendrite is a crystal that develops with a typical multi-branching tree-like form. Dendritic crystal growth is very common and illustrated by snowflake formation and frost patterns on a window. Dendritic crystallization forms a natural fractal pattern...
that conducted Space Shuttle flight experiments on STS-62, -75, and -87.
He is currently the Principal Investigator of the Transient Dendritic Solidification Experiment (TDSE) http://spacescience.spaceref.com:16080/colloquia/mmsm/koss_ora.pdf, a flight experiment being prepared for operations on the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
in 2006.
In June 2003, Koss created a controversy by authoring an Op Ed
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
article in the New York Times claiming that scientists bore partial responsibility for the space shuttle Columbia disaster. He argued that most micro-gravity scientific experiments did not require manned space missions, but were used to sell the space program. The article drew widespread attention, and resulted in congressional hearings at which Koss appeared.
Current work
In 2000, Koss started working as a professor at The College of the Holy CrossCollege of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
. He continues his isothermal dendritic growth research and in 2005 began research on the physics of baseball.