COVID-19 Updates for U of U Campus and Community

Department Main Office Hours (JFB 201)

Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

frontdesk@physics.utah.edu

Accounting Office (JFB 203)

Mondays and Thursdays only, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; other times by appointment.

physicsaccounting@utah.edu

These hours are subject to change at any time.

Professor Carsten Rott Appointed to Jack W. Keuffel Memorial Chair

Professor Carsten Rott, who will join the Department of Physics & Astronomy in early 2021, has been appointed to the Jack W. Keuffel Memorial Chair, effective January 1, 2021. Rott will hold the chair through December 2025. The Jack W. Keuffel Memorial Chair in Physics & Astronomy was established to honor and continue the work the late Jack W. Keuffel, a professor and pioneer in cosmic ray research at the U from 1960-1974.

Fall 2020 Issue of the Spectrum

SARS-CoV-2-like Particles very Sensitive to Temperature

Winter is coming in the northern hemisphere and public health officials are asking how the seasonal shift will impact the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19? A new study tested how temperatures and humidity affect the structure of individual SARS-Cov-2 virus-like particles on surfaces. They found that just moderate temperature increases broke down the virus’ structure, while humidity had very little impact. In order to remain infectious, the SARS-Cov-2 membrane needs a specific web of proteins arranged in a particular order. When that structure falls apart, it becomes less infectious. The findings suggest that as temperatures begin to drop, particles on surfaces will remain infectious longer.