Attending a session devoted to the legacy of C. N. Yang, one of the towering. theoretical physicists of the latter half of the 20th century.

Finally made it to the Global Physics Summit. Currently sitting in on a session about nuclear astrophysics, a field I have always thought it would fun to work. Later I will reconnect with old friends at the DNP Business meeting, which focuses on issues related to severe cutbacks in federal funding

On my way to Denver for the Global Physics Summit. In my talk Thursday afternoon, I'll present (among other things) the results of our high-speed impact tests that compare the performance of torpedo to standard bats, for the first time publicly. Later this week, I'll post a link to my slides.

Make that nearly 49 years!

After nearly 39 years (and 17 years since retirement), I have vacated my office at Loomis Lab, home of the UIUC Physics Department. I used the office very regularly prior to Covid and hardly at all since. Time to turn it over to someone else. I left my parting words on the chalkboard.

I usually refer to this as the revenge of the C students

Congratulations to Team Italy!

Congratulations, Max!

The have no expertise in nuclear technology, unlike Obama who had @ernestmoniz.bsky.social.

"I was aware of listening devices"...Alexander Butterfield, who had passed away at age 99. www.c-span.org/clip/public-...

Where is Ernie Moniz when we need him?

Looking forward to attending the Global Physics Summit next week in Denver, sponsored by the APS. It is probably the largest physics conference ever organized, with ~14k physicists expected from across the globe.

Kind of reminds me of the famous Yogi Berra pizza story: thepizzasnob.net/2012/07/27/s...

I have #1 but prefer #3.

In addition to "what comes next?", how about "what should have come first?" Many things come to mind, especially planning for the evacuation of Americans in neighboring countries. Seems that was an afterthought.

No Noem!

I joined ABC News to speak on the escalating conflict in Iran. There is much speculation about the impact of regime change, but there are risks whether the regime collapses or not. Watch the full discussion here - abcnews.com/video/130724...

I've seen enough: James Talarico (D) wins the #TXSEN Dem primary.

My good friend Mike Klarman, HLS professor and fellow Red Sox fan, gave a lecture a few days ago at Fordham entitled "How Did We Get There?" I highly recommend. vimeo.com/1169689331?f...

Definitely worth your time watching this interview with @mcfaulmike.bsky.social re the Iran situation.

Tatum GTD! Is that really true?

When there is headwind, Magnus force depends on (v+vwind)^2, whereas time depends (primarily) only on 1/v. So there is not a cancellation and you get more movement with a headwind.

Subtle point: Magnus force depends on v^2. Movement depends on force*time^2,. But time depends on 1/v. Hence v cancels out. Primary effect of speed on movement is through spin factor, the ratio of spin to v. Smaller v results in larger lift coefficient-->more movement.

yes

Good point: More movement when there is a headwind. Also drag is greater, resulting in more loss of speed between release and home plate. Might be a good way to check for headwind.

My playlist today for my group fitness class was entirely Neil Sedaka. They were mostly songs he sang but a few he wrote for others. Plus one of his Yiddish songs, as we celebrate Purim tonight

Last year I wrote a pedagogical article in which the primary conclusion was that it is not possible to understand how the shape of a wood bat (e.g., a "torpedo" design) affects its performance without considering the effect of bending vibrations. baseball.physics.illinois.edu/TorpedoArtic...

In the current issue of Physics Today, there is a very nice article about David Gagnon, the team leader in Baseball Sciences for the Nats. This confirms my long-held belief that there is a place in MLB organizations for people with strong physics backgrounds.

Neil Sedaka, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do singer and pop song hitmaker, dies aged 86

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Sedaka, one of the pioneers of the early days of rock and roll. He made many great songs from that era, including those he wrote for others. May his memory be a blessing.

Moi aussi

I'm pretty sure the system at each MLB venue has been "ground truth'd" by WSU/Lloyd Smith. I would have great confidence in those measurements. What I don't know is the result ( i.e., the margin of error).

It's hard for me to believe that it's as small as 4 mm in present context. In any case, I agree with your point not to overturn if within margin of error. All the more reason to know what it is.

What exactly is Hawkeye's margin of error? And how do we know it?

I didn't realize there was such a "day". How should I celebrate?

ICYMI 🧵1st results of the Torpedo bat study by Lloyd Smith, @drussellpsu.bsky.social, and me. Measurements done at WSU Sports Science Lab and PSU. Will be presented at ISEA Conference in June. BBCOR, a surrogate for exit velocity, measured for 1 Standard and 2 Torpedo bats via high-speed impact.

Mazel Tov!

Two more things: Dan Russell's tag: @drussellpsu.bsky.social And a plot that emphasizes the primary result. I have shifted both Torpedo bats by -0.6". The resulting plot shows that Torpedo-1 and Standard overlap perfectly and that Torpedo-2 is broader (i.e., a larger sweet spot, by ~0.4").

Better plot:

1st results of the Torpedo bat study by Lloyd Smith, @[email protected], and me. Measurements done at WSU Sports Science Lab and PSU. Will be presented at ISEA Conference in June. BBCOR, a surrogate for exit velocity, measured for Standard and 2 Torpedo bats via high-speed impact.

Fun fact: The next Saturday without a baseball game will be in November Feel warmer yet?

Getting close to going public on our torpedo bat research.

Re-upping this today, celebrating the return of baseball and (finally) a good decision from the Supreme Court. Next up: Opening Day at the end of March and oral arguments in birthright citizenship case on April 1.

Akhil Amar on birthright citizenship: ”Unless and until our Constitution is amended, our government is simply not allowed to punish innocent babies guaranteed full and equal citizenship by the Constitution itself.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/o...

Don't forget his brilliant acting without saying a word in his characterization of Boo Radley.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is not on the list. I am disappointed!

🚨 President Trump’s Claim of an “Irrefutable” Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text in the Shadows of a Microfilm Copy of the U.S. Constitution electionlawblog.org?p=154326

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Dad! I miss him every day. ☘️ 11x NBA Champion ☘️ 5x MVP ☘️ 11x All-NBA Team ☘️ 12x All-Star ☘️ 1969 All-Defense First Team ☘️ 4x NBA rebounding champ ☘️ Hall of Fame player & coach ☘️ Undefeated in Game 7's ☘️ 1956 Olympic Gold Medalist ☘️ 2x NCAA Champion ☘️ 1955 NCAA MOP 🐐