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Director's Message
Dear Colleagues,
This week’s pic shows Emeritus Professor Neil Manson touching down after his memorable Founder’s Day talk last year. It gives me tremendous pleasure to congratulate Neil on turning 80 today.
Since joining our School as a Research Fellow in 1973, Neil has made remarkable contributions in bringing high-resolution laser techniques to solid-state spectroscopy. Neil is most closely associated with the elucidation of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) found in diamond, to the extent that he is known in the research community as “Mister NV”. He has also been our valued HDR convenor for close to 30 years, supporting many students over that time and helping establish the wonderful HDR Team we have today. In lieu of our usual morning tea and cake please drop Neil a note today and join me in wishing him many happy returns. Below I’ve included some other pics of Neil with many familiar friends through the ages (Fire in the Belly, Ophel & Jenkins, 1996)
It is with sadness that I inform you of Joan Ophel’s passing last week. She and Trevor were long standing and valued members of the Nuclear Physics community. Joan was laid to rest last Thursday with members of NP present. Our thoughts go to the extended Ophel family.
You will have seen notice of an incident a few weeks ago in which someone sustained a very significant shock from a faulty laptop power supply. As these are frequently moved units they become an increasing risk of failure over time. Please immediately check your electrical compliance tag on both the supply and cable, if it has a separable lead. Never use it if either the mains cable look damaged, or if it is beyond the due date for compliance testing. If you have only one supply then it will need to be tested each year. I highly recommend purchasing a two supplies, one to be left at home and the other at work. Both will need periodic testing but this can be a longer period if they are essentially static supplies. The Stores and Electronics Unit are always available for free Test and Tagging of laptop supplies. We will be permanently locating a Test & Tag unit in Physics North, and until then have regular drop-in days will be arranged. Due to the high level of risk I am mandating that every laptop owner renews the electrical safety test on their power supplies by mid-September. Thank you.
Don't forget the chance for a Satellite Selfie.
Have a great week,
Tim | 