Two New APS Topical Groups

At its Joint APS/AAPT Meeting, the APS Council and Executive Board approved the establishment of two new topical groups: the Topical Group on Magnetism and its Applications, and the Topical Group on Statistical and Nonlinear Physics. This brings the number of APS topical groups to seven. At least 200 APS members must petition Council to establish a new topical group, and the statement of areas of interest must be reviewed by each existing division and topical group to avoid excessive overlap.

The objective of the Topical Group on Magnetism and its Applications is to serve physicists working in magnetism, by providing a focal point for consideration of the technological aspects of magnetism within the APS; by organizing conference sessions of interest to physicists working in applications of magnetism; and by fostering interactions and meetings with other scientists and engineers interested in advancing and diffusing knowledge of the multidisciplinary field of magnetism.

The objective of the Topical Group on Statistical and Nonlinear Physics is the advancement and diffusion of knowledge in the interdisciplinary area of nonequilibrium statistical physics, with emphasis on spatially extended nonlinear systems. The group is also intended to encourage research and applications in this area and promote international cooperation.

Members wishing to join these new topical groups should write in the group in the space provided on their membership renewal invoice mailed in late May, and include $6 for each unit joined. For those members who have already sent back their invoice, they can send payment to APS: by mail with check or credit card; from the APS home page secure server with credit card; and by telephoning their credit card information. All related calls and correspondence should be directed to the APS Membership Department, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD, 20740-3844; phone: (301) 209-3280.