Kyle Altmann, assistant professor of physics, has been selected as the second recipient of the A.L. Hook Emerging Scholar Professorship in Science and Mathematics at Elon University. The professorship supports the development of chemistry, mathematics and physics faculty in their scholarly pursuits and promotes collaborative work between faculty and students who are involved in undergraduate research. Altmann will receive an annual salary supplement, supporting funds for travel, research materials and student travel and research. Altmann will hold the rotating professorship for a three-year term.
Altmann has done extensive research in the area of condensed matter physics, studying how magnetic properties can be tailored by combining different elements in various ratios. Altmann, who joined the Elon faculty in 2003, has conducted research at the Synchrotron Radiation Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Altmann has also mentored Elon students, working with several to construct an analyzer for magnetic measurements of samples called MOKE (Magneto Optic Kerr Effects). In the future, he plans to include students in his research work at the Synchrotron Radiation Center.
Altmann has also performed research with groups from Penn State University and the MINT Center at the University of Alabama. His most recent scholarly article has been chosen for a compilation of articles on cutting edge research.