OTHER NAME USED: Dr. Ponn Mahes
CITIZENSHIP: United States of America
ADDRESS (W): Professor of Physics
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geology
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733
E-mail:mahesp@Winthrop.edu
ADDRESS (H): 1750 Colony Drive, Rock Hill, SC 29730
E-mail: mahesp@yahoo.com
WORK PHONE: (803) 323 4940
WORK FAX: (803) 323 2246
HOME PHONE: (803) 327 1262
CAREER OBJECTIVE: Teaching and Scholarly activity in Physics.
EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
‑Ph.D. (1985), Experimental Solid State Physics,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907.
‑M.S. (1982), Physics, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, IN 47907.
‑B.S. (1978), Physics, Peradeniya University,
Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
Experimental Solid State Physics
‑Investigation of the elastic, structural, electrical,
and magnetic properties of diluted magnetic
semiconductors, II-VI semiconductor alloys,
and ceramics. Experimental techniques
include ultrasonic velocity and attenuation
measurements, transport measurements, and materials
preparation and characterization.
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
‑Professor of Physics (August 2003 - Present)
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geology
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733
‑Associate Professor of Physics (May 1992 – August 2003)
Department of Chemistry, Physics, Geology
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733
-Faculty Research Participation (Summer of 1998)
Solid State Division, Superconductivity
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
‑Assistant Professor of Physics (August 1985 ‑May 1992)
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733
‑Visiting Scholar (Summer of 1989)
Department of Physics
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
‑Visiting Lecturer (Summer of 1988)
Department of Physics
University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
‑Research Associate (Summer of 1985)
Department of Physics
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
‑Graduate Research Assistant (June 1984 ‑ May 1985)
Department of Physics
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
‑Graduate Teaching Assistant (August 1980 ‑ May 1984)
Department of Physics
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
‑Assistant Lecturer in Physics (September 1979 ‑ August 1980)
Department of Physics
University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
‑Assistant Lecturer in Physics (April 1978 ‑ August 1979)
Department of Physics
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses taught: Algebra and calculus based introductory physics courses, introductory physics laboratory courses, astronomy, electronics, advanced experimental physics course, physical science courses, investigative physical science course, musical acoustics, materials science, and engineering mechanics.
Developed experiments and laboratory manuals for introductory physics, investigative physical science, and electronics.
Developed physics lecture demonstrations.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Investigated elastic, structural, electromechanical, and electrical properties of Cd1‑xMnxTe,
Cd1-xZnxTe, and Zn1‑xMnxSe.
Discovered enhancement of the electromechanical coupling factor in Cd1‑xMnxTe and weakening of the crystal structure in Cd1‑xMnxTe and Zn1‑xMnxSe.
Supervised student research under the Summer Mentor Program of the Governor’s school for Science and Math, SC.
Supervised undergraduate student research in materials science for chemistry majors.
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Use of electronic instrumentation including that of ultrasonic attenuation and velocity measurement system and of piezoelectric transducers.
X‑ray oriented single crystals and prepared samples with accurately parallel and polished surfaces suitable for ultrasonic measurements.
Use of cryogenic fluids including liquid helium and of a hydrostatic pressure generating system.
Experience in computer programming and interfacing.
PUBLICATIONS
q “A High-Temperature
Superconducting Thin-Film Meander as a Superconducting Switch”, as an essay in
the Essential Study Partner CD to accompany Physical Science, fifth edition,
2002, Bill W. Tillery, McGraw-Hill publishing.
q Wrote the physics portion
for the GED-science book by ARCO/Thomson learning, 2002, pages 125-149.
q “Revisiting Visualizing the
Thin-Lens Formula”, letter to the editor, The Physics Teacher, 39 (452),
November 2001.
q
"Effective charge
and bond stretching and bond bending force constants in Cd1‑xMnxTe,
with 0 # x # 0.52, and Cd0.52Zn0.48Te and ZnTe,” Physics
Essays, 6(2), 217 (1993).
q
"Pressure
dependences of the elastic constants and structural stability of Zn1‑xMnxSe
with x = 0.37 and 0.53", Physical Review B41, 12076 (1990).
q
"Pressure
dependences of the elastic moduli and the diffuse ferroelectric phase
transition in PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3", Physical
Review B 35, 3369 (1987).
q
"Elastic anomalies
near the magnetic transition in Cd1‑xMnxTe,”
Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 54‑57, 1225 (1986).
q
"Ultrasonic
attenuation and velocity in Cd1‑xMnxTe with x..5,” Journal De Physique, 12, C 10‑513 (1985).
q
"Elastic constants
and their pressure dependences in Cd1‑xMnxTe with 0
# x # 0.52 and in Cd0.52Zn0.48Te,”
Physical Review B 31, 5212 (1985).
q
"Ultrasonic
determination of electromechanical coupling and ionization energies in Cd1‑xMnxTe
with 0 # x # 0.52 and in Cd0.52Zn0.48Te,”
Physical Review B 31, 7910 (1985).
PRESENTATIONS
q
Presented
a paper titled “An Experiment to Determine the Discharge Characteristics of
Common Batteries”, at the American Physical Society Meeting, Philadelphia, PA,
April 2003. Abstract D1 25, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 48(2),
p73 (2003).
q
Presented
a paper, ‘Heat Build-up in Parked Cars’, at the Research Colloquium of the
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, February 9, 2002.
q Presented a paper titled
"PC-based Pendulum Experiments with Force and Motion Sensors” at the 122nd
National American Association of Physics Teachers meeting, San Diego CA,
January 6-11, 2001.
q Presented a paper titled “Temperature
rise and Heat build up inside a parked Car”, at the 68th Annual
Southeastern Section Meeting of the American Physical Society, Charlottesville
VA, November 4-6, 2001. Abstract KE 16,
BAPS 46(9), p36 (2001).
q “Changes in Properties of YBCO thin-film meander line
over Time”, April Meeting of The American Physical Society, Long Beach, CA,
April 29-May 2, 2000. Abstract C23 60, BAPS 45(2), p64 (2000).
q “A Superconductivity Demonstration using a YBCO
thin-film meander line as a thermal switch”, with D.K. Christen and H.K.
Kerchner of Oak Ridge National Lab, March
Meeting of The American Physical Society, Atlanta GA, 20-26 March 1999.
Abstract SB20-12, BAPS 44(1), p1321 (1999).
q “Transport Properties of Cadmium Zinc Telluride”,
March Meeting of The American Physical
Society, Los Angeles CA, 16-20 March 1998. Abstract O38-22, BAPS 43(1), p579
(1998).
q “The Ohm Sense Method and The Electrical Transport
Properties of Cadmium Zinc Telluride,”
March Meeting of The American Physical
Society, Kansas City MO, 17-21 March
1997. Abstract H41-49, BAPS 42(1), p344 (1997).
q “Transport Properties of CdZnTe,” Joint Meeting of
The American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers,
Indianapolis IN, 2-5 May 1996. Abstract C23 60, BAPS 45(2), p64 (1996).
GRANTS RECEIVED
1.
Received an extramural grant from the South Carolina Governor’s School for
Science and Mathematics for the Summer Program for Research Interns, Summer
2001.
2.
Received an Instructional Improvement Grant ($1000) from the Winthrop Research
Council for “Development of Tutorial Work-Sheets for the General Physics
Course”, Summer 2001.
3.
Received Curriculum Enhancement grant from the Winthrop University Research
Council for the proposal, "Development of Inquiry-Based Laboratory
Exercises For the New Computer-Based Introductory Physics Lab", $2045,
summer 2000.
4. "Electrical
Conductivity Studies of II‑VI semiconductor alloys,” $2550, Winthrop
Research Council, summer 1998.
5. Received research grant from
the Winthrop University Research Council for the proposal, "Electrical
Conductivity Studies of II-VI Semiconductor Alloys”, $1600, summer 1997.
6. “Investigation of the
transport properties of Cadmium Zinc Telluride,” Summer Research Scholar’s
program of the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, $2000, summers of
95 & 94.
7. "Investigation of the
transport mechanism of II‑VI semiconductor alloy Cadmium‑Zinc
telluride,” $2000, Winthrop Research Council, 1991‑1992.
8. "Conductivity studies
of II‑VI semiconductor alloy cadmium‑ zinc telluride,” $2293,
Winthrop Research Council, 1990‑1991.
9. "Structural
properties of Zn1‑xMnxSe,” $2000, the College of
Arts and Sciences faculty development grant, summer 1989.
10. "Ionic Conductivity Studies
of Zirconium Phosphate,” $1800 (with Dr. Lennart Kullberg), Winthrop Research
Council, 1988‑1989.
11. "Pressure
dependences of the elastic moduli of lead magnesium niobate,” $1850, the College
of Arts and Sciences faculty development grant, summer 1986.
SHORT COURSES/WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
1. Attended a NSF sponsored Chautauqua Short Course/Workshop, ‘Promoting Active Learning in Introductory Physics Courses’, Dickinson College, Carlisle PA, May 9-11, 2002.
2. Attended a two-day workshop “Standards Alignment and Performance-Based Assessment” conducted by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, December 18-19, 2000.
3. Chautauqua short course “Use of maple Symbolic Computing System
in Science and Mathematics Instruction”, Dayton, OH, May 7‑9, 1997.
4. Attended a videoconference “Evaluating Teaching Performance”, Winthrop University, November 14, 1997.
5. Attended a workshop “Using the TI-83 and CBL in Science and Math”, by Judy Powell of the The Science House at NC State University, Winthrop University, June 1997.
6. Enhancing Physics Learning
in Lecture with Interactive Lecture Demonstrations, at the AAPT/APS meeting,
Indianapolis IN, 4 May 1996.
7. Effective College Teaching:
A workshop for Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians Who Teach, October 14,
1995, UNC Chapel Hill.
8. A workshop on Process
Monitoring and Control, LabVIEW 3.1 for Windows, by National Instruments,
Charlotte, NC, October 4, 1995.
9. A NSF-SPONSORED workshop
on advanced experimental physics at California State University, Hayward CA,
April 15-17, 1994.
AFFILIATIONS
‑Sigma Xi, The scientific research society of North America.
‑APS, The American Physical Society.
-AAPT, The American Association of Physics Teachers.
HONORS
‑First
class honors in B.S, Physics Special.
‑Full member, Sigma Xi.
‑Who'S Who in the South and Southwest.
‑Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America.
- Marquis Who’s Who and Strathmore’s Who’s Who.