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| Intel Science Talent Search first-place winner Michael Hofmann Winer’s research could have an impact on the electronics of the future. (Photo by Chris Ayers/Intel) |
Topics: Education, Electronics, Intel, High School, Phonons, Physics, Superconductors
Michael Hofmann Winer is a physics phenom who has won awards and studied how fundamental quasi-particles of sound, called phonons, interact with electrons. His research could potentially be applied to complex electronic materials, such as superconductors.
But first he needs to finish his senior year at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
The 18-year-old’s work during two summer internships at the University of Maryland, College Park, flashed into the national spotlight last week, when he was honored as one of the country’s most-promising young science students — one of three top medalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search competition.
“I think I’m as happy as I’ve ever been,” the Montgomery County student said after he won a $150,000 first-place prize for innovation, based on work he did in collaboration with U-Md. physics professor Victor Galitski and graduate student Justin Wilson.
Winer credited the math, science and computer science magnet program at Montgomery Blair as a difference-maker, too, as well as teacher James R. Schafer, whom he called “one of the best teachers in the universe.”
Schafer, in turn, said Winer is “certainly one of the best students I’ve ever taught.” Schafer said Winer’s talent goes beyond his “incredible” intellect.
I saw this on my Twitter feed, re-tweeted it and shared it also here. Michael alluded to almost fainting as the fact he won the award was announced, and the glare of the cameras on him almost got the best of him. I choked a little when he gave credit to his high school physics teacher (as a group, we rarely get any props). Montgomery Blair High School can be by some dismissed as a "ringer" for the award - 32 Intel finalist since 1999 - equates to two a year. But, as Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway) states below:
Happy Saint Patrick's Day, by the way! Don't forget to wear something green.
Washington Post:
Maryland physics phenom ‘tried not to faint’ upon winning national award,
Donna St. George
DEKA Research: About Dean Kamen
Related Site: USFirst.org
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