News
Outreach
BQI Supports Fundamental Physics: Odile Smits
30.07.2024
At the Big Questions Institute, we acknowledge and back the frontrunners of scientific exploration. Today, we shine a spotlight on Odile Smits, the 2024 UQ BQI Fellow, who is undertaking research in the field of fundamental atomic physics.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Periodic Table
Odile’s current research focuses on one of science’s most intriguing questions: “How far can the periodic table be extended?” Her work explores the properties of superheavy elements and the fundamental limits imposed by quantum mechanics and relativity. Odile’s research investigates the behaviour of electrons in the field of a nucleus with extremely high nuclear charge, delving into the potential for spontaneous electron-positron pair creation under these extreme conditions.
Odile’s Vision and the BQI Fellowship
Odile’s proposal for the BQI Fellowship highlights a significant advancement in our understanding of the basic structure of reality through the study of precision atomic theory under extreme conditions. Her collaboration with renowned physicists Prof. Peter Schwerdtfeger (New Zealand), Prof. Paul Indelicato (Paris), Prof. Witek Nazarewicz (Michigan), and experimentalist Christoph Dullmann (Mainz) aims to rigorously test the validity of the Dirac equation and explore new phenomena at the limits of the periodic table.
Chronicle of Odile Smits’s Distinguished Accomplishments
Odile’s academic and professional journey is a testament to her dedication. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Queensland, Odile has a robust background in computational physics and chemistry. Her work has been published in prestigious journals like Nature, Physics Reports, and Angewandte Chemie. Notably, she was the first to predict the solid-state properties of oganesson, the heaviest man-made element, using purely ab-initio methods.
Odile’s research has significantly contributed to our understanding of superheavy elements, earning her a prominent place in the field of fundamental physics. She has presented her findings at numerous international conferences and received multiple awards for her presentations.
Pioneering the Frontiers of Fundamental Physics
BQI’s association with Odile Smits supports her innovative approach to studying the fundamental principles of physics. By integrating knowledge from diverse scientific disciplines, Odile’s research aims for a holistic understanding of the basic structure of reality. Her work exemplifies the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
BQI is proud to support Odile Smits in her scientific pursuits. Her expertise, passion, and groundbreaking methodologies resonate deeply with BQI’s ethos. We eagerly anticipate the transformative discoveries Odile is poised to make while we accompany her on this remarkable journey.