Shaul Hanany

Shaul Hanany is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on building instruments to observe the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB), a relic remnant from the Big Bang that provides tremendous information about the evolution of the universe. Hanany's group develops balloon-borne instruments launched to altitudes above 100,000 feet to study the CMB, with flights conducted from locations including Texas, Sweden, and Antarctica.

His research interests include:

• Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation studies
• Instrumentation for millimeter-wave astronomy
• Sub-wavelength structure anti-reflection coatings
• 3D printed alumina for millimeter-wave optical elements
• Kinetic inductance detectors for cosmological observations
• OLIMPO instrument development for studying intercluster medium dynamics

Professor Hanany's research spans from fundamental detector technology development to cosmological data analysis and interpretation. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on instrumentation development for CMB observations, particularly in creating advanced optical components like anti-reflection coatings and specialized detectors. The research group utilizes both hardware development and sophisticated data analysis techniques, often leveraging the facilities of the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.

Hanany has received numerous scientific honors:

• Land McKnight professorship
• Named 'Best Professor of Physics' by students (twice)
• George W. Taylor Award for Distinguished Teaching
• Morse-Alumni Distinguished University Teacher
• CMB measurements named by Science magazine as 'one of the ten most important breakthroughs in science'

Professor Hanany has mentored numerous students throughout his career, including more than 55 undergraduate and high school students, approximately 20 graduate students, and several postdoctoral researchers. His group welcomes students with varying levels of expertise, typically requiring no prior experience. He has also been involved in curriculum development, particularly in integrating computational methods throughout the physics major degree.