Peter Lu, physics research fellow from Harvard, to speak at Grand Seminar

Loyola University Maryland’s academic division of natural and applied sciences presents the 2018-19 Grand Seminar featuring Peter Lu, Ph.D., a physics research fellow in the Department of Physics in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall.

Lu will present his lecture, “Modern Math in Medieval Islamic Architecture.” The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, but registration is encouraged.

Lu will present his findings of Medieval Islamic Architecture as seen across North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. His findings suggest medieval Islamic architecture pieces were put together through a series of decorated puzzle pieces versus by a compass and straightedge.

Lu received his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Princeton University. He went on to earn his master’s and Ph.D. from Harvard, where he is currently a post-doctoral research fellow. He has conducted a series of experiments aboard the International Space Station, examining phase separation and gelation of colloid mixtures in the absence of gravity. His research focuses on the physics of attractive colloids and the integration of high-performance imaging and analysis techniques.

His published work includes modern quasicrystal geometry in medieval Islamic architectural tilings; the first precision compound machines from ancient China; the first use of diamond in prehistoric China; and the first quasi-crystalline mineral found in nature.