Dark Matter and Mass: From the Early Universe to the Laboratory

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A program of both research and teaching in physics will be carried out. The research, theoretical in nature, will pursue in a variety of ways the possibility that the dark matter in the universe-matter which is known to exist because of its gravitational effects but which does not emit any light that would make it visible - is composed of elementary particles different from those already discovered in the laboratory. Extensions of existing theory that may point to such new particles will be pursued. Methods for detecting the new particles will be explored. Models of the universe which contain the new particles and/or other novel features will be studied. The teaching will entail a number of innovations. These include allowing students in an introductory physics course to hone their problem-solving skills by applying concepts they learn in class to mechanical systems which they analyze, design, and build. Also included is the creation of videotaped lectures for distribution to universities in third-world countries. The question of the nature of the dark matter is one of the central issues in astrophysics, so the research addressing this question will be very important. Creative innovations in the teaching of science to university students, both here and abroad are of great importance to the healthy future of science and society.