Stuart Palmer (physicist)
Encyclopedia
Professor Stuart Palmer FREng is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Interim Chair of the School of Life Sciences of the University of Warwick
where he has been since 1987. He is a physicist
who has worked in Condensed Matter Physics
and Engineering Physics
and has extensively exploited the technique of ultrasound
. While working at the University of Hull
he led a team applying ultrasound to the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis
. This led to an ultrasonic index for osteoporosis and the development of commercial equipment that is available worldwide.
More recently he has developed techniques for the non-contact generation and detection of ultrasound based on both laser
and electromagnetic techniques which have found a wide range of industrial applications.
His most esoteric discovery, with Jose Baruchel of ILL and ESRF in Grenoble, France is the existence of helical or chirality magnetic domains in certain antiferromagnetic materials.
Professor Palmer was born in Ilkeston
, Derbyshire
, studied at Sheffield University and spent 20 years at Hull University before moving to Warwick in 1987, where he was Head of the Physics Department for 12 years.
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
where he has been since 1987. He is a physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
who has worked in Condensed Matter Physics
Condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics deals with the physical properties of condensed phases of matter. These properties appear when a number of atoms at the supramolecular and macromolecular scale interact strongly and adhere to each other or are otherwise highly concentrated in a system. The most familiar...
and Engineering Physics
Engineering physics
Engineering physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics in order to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of these three disciplines. Fundamental physics is combined with problem solving and engineering skills, which then has broad...
and has extensively exploited the technique of ultrasound
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
. While working at the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
he led a team applying ultrasound to the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
. This led to an ultrasonic index for osteoporosis and the development of commercial equipment that is available worldwide.
More recently he has developed techniques for the non-contact generation and detection of ultrasound based on both laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
and electromagnetic techniques which have found a wide range of industrial applications.
His most esoteric discovery, with Jose Baruchel of ILL and ESRF in Grenoble, France is the existence of helical or chirality magnetic domains in certain antiferromagnetic materials.
Professor Palmer was born in Ilkeston
Ilkeston
Ilkeston is a town within the Borough of Erewash, in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the River Erewash, from which the local borough takes its name. Its population at the 2001 census was 37,550...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, studied at Sheffield University and spent 20 years at Hull University before moving to Warwick in 1987, where he was Head of the Physics Department for 12 years.