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Education

Teaching Statement

Publications

Presentations

 Galen T. Pickett

Professor

Physics and Astronomy

PH3-103
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-3901

(562) 985-4934 vc 
(562) 985-7924 fax
gpickett@csulb.edu


Education & Background:


Teaching

The experimental basis of physics must be our focus in educating both physicists and non-science majors alike.  Physics majors, particularly those who wish to study theory, must develop respect for the value of experimentation.  Making measurements for themselves is the surest way to accomplish this.

Likewise, when non-majors come to the physics department to fulfill the core science requirements, they should leave convinced that a well-formulated idea, no matter how elegant, must face the test of evidence.  In their coursework, they will  collect good, quantitative data.  In analyzing the data, they will draw conclusions which were neither expected nor easily understood.  For example, the students might measure the acceleration due to gravity.  No amount of philosophical wrangling can change the data, and the students will be faced with the strange notion that no matter the weight or composition, all objects fall at the same rate. It is too much to expect an inexperienced student to expand this idea and formulate the principle of equivalence.  But we should expect that every liberally educated person be aware that every idea is not equally ``right,'' and that some elements of the world do not change with our point of view.  The guiding principle of the introductory physics class is that theories must be evaluated through experiment, and an educated individual should understand this concept.

Apart from understanding these philosophical underpinnings, exposure to the natural sciences, and physics in particular, is exceptionally valuable in a liberal education.  The key skills physicists employ are identifying and then evaluating the unifying principles hidden in a diverse collection of data.  No matter the content of the data, or the field of inquiry, it is exactly these facilities that are promoted in a liberal education.  Studying physics is partly about learning the formalisms and the experimental techniques, but it is more importantly a preparation for posing the questions whose answers affect all of our lives.

Thus, it is vitally important that the faculty entrusted with teaching physics be engaged in asking these questions in a vigorous program of research.  All of our students will benefit from our research.  Non-majors as well as majors should understand that physics is not a list of problems that can be easily graded as homework.  In participating in our research, our students will come to realize that physics is about the unsolved problems we struggle to formulate and address.
 

Publications:

1. G. T. Pickett, "A Pedagogical Model of Static Friction," http://arxiv.org/abs/1507.04015, July 2015.

2. Daniel O. Lesher, Grant L. Metheny, G. T. Pickett, "Brushes of Statistically Branched Polymers,"  http://arxiv.org/abs/1507.03149, July 2015.

3. G. T. Pickett, "Entropic Trapping of Particles at Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces,"  http://arxiv.org/abs/1505.06239, May 2015.

 

4. G. T. Pickett, "Confettti Ordering by Polymer Brushes,"  http://arxiv.org/abs/1505.06382,   May 2015

 

5. G. T. Pickett, “Volume Integral of the Pressure Gradient: Archimede’s Principle”, http://arxiv.org/abs/1407.7562, Aug. 2014.

 

6. G. T. Pickett,  “The Teaching Length Scale,” California Classroom Science, 26, 9, May 6, 2014.

 

7. G T. Pickett, Michael. R. Peterson, Prashanth Jaikumar, Student Success in Introductory Physics,  Proceedings of the 2014 ASEE Zone IV Conference, May 2014.

 

8. G. T. Pickett, "DNA- Origami applications in polymer model materials", Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Origami in Science, Mathematics and Education, accepted, Aug. 07.

9. G. T. Pickett, "Self-folding origami membranes," Europhys. Letts., 78, 48003 (2007).

10. G. T. Pickett, "DNA-origami technique for olympic gels," Europhys. Letts., 76, 616 (2006). (DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2006-10302-7)

11. G. T. Pickett, "DNA-nanotechnology technique for monodisperse synthesis," Macromolecules, 39, 9557, (2006).

12. G. T. Pickett "Linear gradient copolymer melt brushes," J. Chem. Phys. 118, 3898 (2003). Copyright 2003 AIP.  The article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.

13. Thomas C. Zook and G. T. Pickett, "`Hollow-core' dendrimers revisitedPhys. Rev. Letts., 90, 015502 (2003).

14. Gloria E. Rios and G. T. Pickett, "Dendrimer-dendrimer copolymer melts," Macromolecules, 36, 2967 (2003).

15. Wai-Ming Tam and G. T. Pickett "Self-consistent field investigation of pattern-forming electoneutral blends of charged polymers," Langmuir, 19, 1410 (2003).

16. G. T. Pickett "Mesophases of Regularly Branched Copolymers,"  MRS Proceedings, Polymer Interfaces and Thin Films, Fall 2001, 710.

17. G. T. Pickett "Lateral copolymer domain pattering through thermal gradients,"  J. Chem. Phys.116 2692 (2002)Copyright 2002 AIP.  The article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.

18. G. T. Pickett and Yonko Millev "On the analytic inversion of transcendental functions,J. Phys. A, 35 4485, (2002).

19. G. T. Pickett, "Classical path analysis of end-grafted dendrimers: dendrimer forest," Macromolecules, 34 8784, (2001).

20. G. T. Pickett, "Flexible/branched block copolymer melts," Macromolecules, 35, 1896, (2002).

21. G. T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs, "Conformations of bridging polyelectrolytes in poor solvent," Langmuir, 17, 5111 (2001).

 

22. G. T. Pickett,  Mark Gross, and Hiroko Okuyama, "Spontaneous chirality in simple systems," Physical Review Letters, 85, 3652 (2000).

 

23. M. J. Fasolka, P. Banerjee, A. M. Mayes, G. T. Pickett and A. C. Balazs, "Morphology of ultrathin supported diblock copolymer films: theory and experiment," Macromolecules 33 5702 (2000).

 

24. G. T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, "Structure and thermodynamics of anisotropic polymer fluids," J. Chem. Phys., 112 4869 (2000).

 

25. G. T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, "Liquid crystallinity in flexible and rigid rod polymers," J. Chem. Phys., 112 4881 (2000).

 

26. G. T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, "Liquid state theory of anisotropic flexible polymer fluids," J. Chem. Phys., 110 6597 (1999).

 

27. Anna C. Balazs, Chandralekha Singh, Ekaterina Zhulina, and Galen T. Pickett, "Tailoring interfaces through confinement," in Polymer Surfaces, Interfaces, and Thin Films, S. Kumar and A. Karim, eds. World Scientific Publishing (1998).

 

28. Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, Anna C. Balazs "Brownian motion simulation of chain pullout: modeling fracture in polymer blends," in Interfacial Aspects of Multicomponent Polymer Materials, L. Sperling, T. Russel, and D. Lohse, eds. Plenum (1998).

 

29. Shyh Shi Chern, Galen T. Pickett, Ekaterina B. Zhulina, and Anna C. Balazs "Self-assembly and interaction between triblock-copolymer-coated surfaces," J. Chem. Phys. 108, 5981 (1998).

 

30. Galen T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs "Equilibrium behavior of confined triblock copolymer films," Macro. Theory and Simulation, 7 , 249 (1998).

 

31. Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, and Anna C. Balazs "Brownian motion simulation of chain pullout:modeling fracture in polymer blends," Trends in Polymer Science 5, 128 (1997).

 

32. Anna C. Balazs, Chandralekha Singh, Yulia Lyatskaya, Shyh Shi Chern, Ekaterina B. Zhulina, and Galen T. Pickett, "Theory of tethered polymer chains," Prog. in Surf. Sci. 55, 181 (1997).

 

33. Chandralekha Singh, Galen T. Pickett, Ekaterina B. Zhulina and Anna C. Balazs, "Modeling the interactions between polymer coated surfaces," J. Phys. Chem. B101, 10614 (1997).

 

34. Galen T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs "Equilibrium orientation of confined diblock films," Macromolecules, 30, 3097 (1997).

 

35. Anna C. Balazs, Chandralekha Singh, Ekaterina Zhulina, Dilip Gersappe, and Galen T. Pickett, "Patterned polymer films," MRS Bulletin 22(1) 16 (1997).

 

36. Anna C. Balazs, Chandralekha Singh, Ekaterina Zhulina, Dilip Gersappe, and Galen T. Pickett, "Forming patterned films with tethered polymers," Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science 103, 234 (1997).

 

37. Galen T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs, "Interactions between surfaces coated with solvophobic and solvophilic homopolymers," Macromol. Symp.121, 269 (1997).

38. Chandralekha Singh, Galen T. Pickett, and Anna C. Balazs "Interactions between polymer-coated surfaces in poor solvents:I. Surfaces grafted with A and B homopolymers,"  Macromolecules, 29, 7559 (1996).

39. Chandralekha Singh, Ekaterina Zhulina, Dilip Gersappe, Galen Pickett, and Anna C. Balazs, "A `jumping micelle' phase transition,"Macromolecules, 29, 7637, (1996).

40. Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, and Anna C. Balazs, "Simulation of fracturing reinforced polymer blends," Phys. Rev. Letts., 77(4), 671 (1996).

41. Galen T. Pickett, "Lamella at a preferential wall," J. Chem. Phys. 104(4) 1657 (1996).

42. F. S. Solis and G. T. Pickett "On the stability of the alexander polymer brush," Macromolecules  28, 4307 (1995).

43. G. T. Pickett, T. A. Witten, and S. R. Nagel "Equilibrium surface orientation of lamellae," Macromolecules 26, 3194 (1993).

44. G. T. Pickett and T. A. Witten "End-grafted polymer melt with nematic interaction," Macromolecules 25, 4569 (1992).


Presentations:

Invited:

1. "Origami-inspired self assembly," Department of Physics, Marquette University, Nov. 2007.

2. "Origami-inspired self assembly," Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, CSU Domiguez Hills, March 2007.

3. "Origami-inspired self assembly I," Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, CSULB, Sept., 2007.

4. "Origami-inspired self assembly II," Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, CSULB Nov., 2007.

5. ``Self-consistent field methods in polymer physics," Department of Physics, Clark University, Feb. 2003.

6. ``Pattern forming blends,'' Galen T. Pickett, at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSULA, April 2002.

7. ``Pattern forming blends of homopolymers,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Department of Physics, USC March 2002.

8. ``Hyperbranched molecules: surfaces and self-assembly,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, SDSU, Feb. 18, 2002.

9. ``Hyperbranched molecules: surfaces and self-assembly,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSULB,  Oct. 24, 2001.

10. ``Hyperbranched molecules: surfaces and self-assembly,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, CSULB, Sept. 2001.

11. ``Physics and chemistry and physics (oh my)!'' Honors biochemistry seminar given to Howard Huges participants, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSULB.

12. ``How to make chiral structures with achiral elements,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, CSULB Nov. 1999.

13. ``Polymer-coated surfaces in science and technology,'' Galen T. Pickett, Department of Physics and Astronomy Physics Advisory Council address, Nov. 1999.

14. ``Self-consistent-field methods in polymer physics,'' Galen T. Pickett, Dept. of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA Feb. 5, 1999.

15. ``Self-consistent field methods in polymer physics,'' at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, CSULB, Jan. 1999.

16. ``Problems in polymer physics,'' Galen T. Pickett, at the Department of Physics, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, Nov. 23, 1998.

17. ``Confinement and anisotropy in polymer systems: templates and novel liquid crystals,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Polymer Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, Nov. 17, 1998.

18. ``Interfaces in polymeric systems,'' at the Department of Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, Nov. 13, 1997.

19. ``Morphology of thin polymer films,'' at the Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI Sept.23, 1997.

20. ``Interfaces in polymeric systems,'' at the Coatings and Films Gordon Research Conference, New London, NH, July 14, 1997.

21. ``Computational modeling for the behavior of polymer interfaces,'' Galen T. Pickett at the Seventh Conference on Computational Research on Materials, Morgantown, WV May. 14-16, 1997.

22. ``Morphology of thin polymer films,'' Galen T. Pickett, at the Department of Physics, University of DePaul, Chicago, IL Apr. 2, 1997.

23. ``Microemulsion under shear,'' Galen T. Pickett, at Higher Dimension Research, Inc. St. Paul, MN Feb. 20, 1997.

24. ``Controlling interfaces in polymeric systems: blends, templates, colloids,'' Galen T. Pickett, at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY Feb. 7, 1997.

Contributed and Poster Presentations

1. ``DNA-origami applications in polymer model materials,'' 4th International Conference on Origami in Science, Mathematics and Education  (4OSME), Sept. 2006, Pasadena CA.

2. "Self-folding membranes," Galen T. Pickett, 4OSME, Sept. 2006, Pasadenda, CA.

3. "A six-week origami physics course," Galen T. Pickett, 4OSME, Sept. 2006, Pasadena, CA.

4. "Topological ring-loop modular origami," poster, 4OSME, Sept. 2006, Pasadena, CA.

5. ``Self-Folding Membranes,'' Galen T. Pickett at the 2005 March Meeting of the APS in Los Angeles, CA.

6. `` Dynamically stabilized patterns in polymer films,'' F. S. Solis and Galen T. Pickett, at the 2004 March Meeting of the APS in Montreal, Canada.

7. ``Linear gradient copolymer melt brushes,'' Galen T. Pickett, at the 2003 March Meeting of the APS, Austin TX.

8. ``Hollow-core dendrimers revisited,'' Galen T. Pickett and Thomas C. Zook, at the 2003 March Meeting of the APS, Austin TX

9. ``A continuously branched model for the dendrimer melt brush,'' Thomas C. Zook and Galen T. Pickett at the 2003 March Meeting of the APS.

10. ``Hollow-core dendrimers revisited,'' Galen T. Pickett, poster presented at the 2003 Polymers (West) Gordon Research Confrence, Jan. 5-10 Ventura, CA.

11. ``Self-assembly in dendrimer-flexible copolymers,'' Galen T. Pickett, poster at the 2002 March Meeting of the APS.

12. ``Electroneutral blends of charged polymers,'' Galen T. Pickett contributed talk at the 2002 March Meeting of the APS.

13. ``Pattern-forming electroneutral blends of charged polymers,'' Galen T. Pickett, poster contributed to the Gordon Research Conference on Macromolecular, Colloidal, and Polyelectrolyte Solutions, Ventura, CA Feb. 2-7, 2002.

14.``Correlation effects in thermotropic liquid crystals,'' Galen T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, talk delivered at the March 2001 Meeting of the APS, Seattle, Washington, Mar. 17, 2001.

15. ``Liquid state theory of thermotropic liquid crystals,'' Galen T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, poster, at UCSB MRL Complex Fluids Confrence, Santa Barbara, CA, Aug. 25, 1999.

16. ``Boundary-induced chiral symmetry breaking,'' Galen T. Pickett, Hiroko Okuyama, and Mark Gross, poster, at UCSB MRL Complex Fluids Confrence, Santa Barbara, CA Aug. 25, 1999.

17. ``A continuous isotropic-nematic transition of flexible polymers,'' Galen T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer at the March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Atlanta, GA, 1999.

18. ``The nematic-to-isotropic transition of flexible polymers,'' Galen T. Pickett and Kenneth S. Schweizer, 1998 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Conference, Notre Dame, IN, May 18-19, 1998.

19. ``Patterns in confined polymer films,'' Galen T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs, poster presented at the Polymers-West Gordon Research Conference, Ventura, CA Jan. 5-10, 1997.

20. ``Patterns in confined copolymer films,'' Galen T. Pickett and Anna C. Balazs at the MRS Fall Meeting; Boston, MA, Dec. 2-6, 1996.

21. ``Simulation of fracture in reinforced polymer blends,'' Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, Anna C. Balazs at ANTEC 1996; Indianapolis, IN May 6, 1996.

22. ``Modeling fracture in reinforced polymer blends,'' Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, Anna C. Balazs at the March Meeting of the APS; St. Louis, MO Mar. 18-22, 1996.

23. ``Simulation of fracturing reinforced polymer blends,'' Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, Anna C. Balazs at ``Workshop on Modeling of Industrial Materials,'' Institute for Theoretical Physics, UCSB; Santa Barbara, CA Jan. 6-11, 1996.

24. ``Brownian motion simulation of chain pullout,'' Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, and Anna C. Balazs, at the MRS Fall Meeting; Boston, MA Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, 1995.

25. ``Brownian motion simulation of chain pullout,'' Galen T. Pickett, David Jasnow, Anna C. Balazs, poster presented at the Workshop on Tribology; Bar Harbor MN Aug. 28 - Sep. 1, 1995.

26. ``Equilibrium orientation of copolymer lamellae by a hard, smooth wall,'' G.T. Pickett, T.A. Witten, S.R. Nagel, poster presented at the ``Workshop on Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces''; Danvers MA, Oct. 1992.

27. ``End-grafted polymer melt with nematic interaction,'' G. T. Pickett, T. A. Witten, J. F. Marko, presented at the March Meeting of the APS; Cinncinnati, OH, Mar. 1991.

 

Education

Teaching

Publications

 Presentations

 

last updated: May 23, 2015