Education

B.S. Gannon, 1978; M.S., Ph.D. Ohio, 1985

Areas of Expertise

Condensed Matter Physics, Surface Science, Astrophysics, and Applied Physics

Interests

Surface Science, Astrophysics, Applied Physics, and Renewable Energy

Charles Niederriter

Physics
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Chuck grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, a fairly diverse blue collar town on the shores of Lake Erie. His childhood was full of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling. After attending St. Marks Seminary High School, he went on to Gannon College (now Gannon University) to study physics. Gannon was similar to Gustavus in many ways, but different in that it had an engineering program. So, the physics program at Gannon was small. Chuck had one classmate in his graduating class in physics. Being small had its advantages, though. Chuck was involved in several research projects with local companies and had many opportunities for work after graduation. But, he chose to go on to graduate study in physics, initially at Iowa State University, and eventually at Ohio University.

At Ohio, Chuck took graduate courses in all areas of physics before beginning work on a project in surface science that stemmed from one of his undergraduate research projects. When some major roadblocks popped up in this project, he decided to use it for a Masters thesis and move to more traditional condensed matter physics for a Ph.D. project. This work in the electrical and optical properties of chalcogenide glasses proceeded quickly and Chuck was able to finish both the Masters and Ph.D. in 1985. By this time Chuck's wife, Debbie, had finished her Masters in physical acoustics, and they and one-year old son, Brad, moved to St. Peter to begin teaching at Gustavus.

Since coming to Gustavus, Chuck has taught virtually every course that the Physics Department offers, from introductory to upper level. During several J-Terms, he co-taught Materials Science with Professor Larry Potts from Chemistry. He and wife, Debbie, have co-taught the Astronomy of the Southern Skies course in New Zealand and Australia several times in January. Chuck has served on virtually all of the standing committees of the faculty, as well as many others. He did a two-year stint as co-director of General Education, with Professor David Fienen, and is currently the Director of the Nobel Conference.

Chuck continues to involve students in his research. For many years, that consisted primarily of electrical and optical properties of glasses and production and properties of thin polymer films. Occasionally there would be time for an astrophysics project, like the building a super-computer application to simulate the formation of the Solar System. Recently many of the projects have revolved around renewable energy. With a lot of student help, Chuck, Professor Jeff Jeremiason, and others have been exploring the feasibility of producing electricity for the campus with wind turbines. They have also studied the use of photovoltaics and energy storage systems, like hydrogen and batteries, as options for Gustavus.

Contact Information

Physics
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Phone: 507-933-7315
E-mail: chuck@gustavus.edu

Courses Taught

• Astronmy/Cosmlgy w/Lab
• Astrophysics
• Classical III Lab
• Natural World w/Lab

Charles Niederriter's Schedule