Requesting donations to purchase equipment for physics laboratories
As you all may be aware, Sri Lanka will experience further fiscal policy tightening for the next few years, and as a consequence, the capital expenditures of state institutions (such as universities) are heavily compromised. The Department of Physics at the University of Colombo (UoC) like many other departments, through its earned funds and competitive grants, has so far managed to maintain infrastructure and support recurring expenses. In the Department of Physics, over the years, classic experimental laboratory apparatus have provided essential learning experiences to undergraduates. However, some of the cherished experiments (e.g., Zeeman effect experiment, Determination of e/m ratio, Fabry-Perot interferometer, etc.) are no longer in usable/repairable condition. As the replacement cost of these equipment is very high, current economic conditions and fiscal policies do not allow opportunities for the department to purchase these equipment.
After receiving a request from the Head of the Department of Physics through the Dean, Science Faculty, CUFSAA decided to accept the request to donate physics equipment. The physics equipment donation subcommittee identified several equipment to be donated based on the UoC prioritizations, considering the usage and the current status of the specific items. Equipment list we would like to send to UoC can be found below.
We kindly ask our members and Science Faculty alumni and any other well-wishers for your generous support to purchase these much-needed physics equipment in order to provide a valuable experimental experience for the next generation of UoC graduates. You may also have heard the UoC became the number one University in SL for another year, and with these types of vital experiments would help maintain the recognition the UoC had developed. Your tax-deductible contributions to CUFSAA for this worthy cause can be made via the links given below.
If you have any questions or would like additional information about the project, please get in touch with the subcommittee via email at physics-equipments@cufsaa.org.
Additional Information and Links
- Ways to Contribute to the Physics Equipment Project Fund
- List of Equipment Requested (need your support!)
- List of Equipment Requested that had been purchased and donated to date
01. Ways to contribute to this project
* If you would like to contribute to this Fund, you may do so via the PayPal button from the link below:
Alternatively, you may send us a check made payable to “CUFSAA-NA” and post to the CUFSAA Treasurer at the following address. Please write in the memo line of the check that the donation is for Physics Equipment Project and let us know your email address to send the Donation Receipt.
Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association c/o Ms. Sandya Liyanarachchi Treasurer – CUFSAA-NA 5870 Tara Hill Drive Dublin OH 43027 USA.
Thank you!
CUFSAA – Executive Committee
02. List of Equipment Requested that need to be purchased when donations reach the target (Total estimated cost = US$25,451)
1. Zeeman effect apparatus : $ 4,472
https://www.holmarc.com/zeeman_effect_apparatus.php
2. Fabry-Perot interferometer : $ 3,664
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=859
3. Photoelectric Effect System : $ 4,399
https://www.pasco.com/products/complete-experiments/quantum/ex-5549
4. Fine beam tube : $ 3,927
https://www.3bscientific.com/us/experiment-fine-beam-tube-230-v-5060-hz-8000668-ue3070700-230-3b-scientific,p_1425_28442.html
5. Michelson Interferometer Educational Kit, Metric : $ 3,072
https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=EDU-MINT2/M
6. Quantum Cryptography Analogy Demonstration Kit : $ 3,817
https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=EDU-QCRY1/M
7. Quantum Eraser Demonstration Kit Metric : $ 2,100
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=6957
03. List of Equipment Requested that had been purchased and donated to date
(Total cost to purchase the equipment including Taxes, Shipping and delivery fees = US$ 5,128.50)
The following equipment have been purchased and was delivered to the Department of Physics on June 26, 2024. We thank you for your support to purchase these equipment.
1. Semiconductor thermogenerator – Seebeck effect : $ 1482.89 (purchased and delivered to the Physics Department on June 26, 2024)
https://www.flinnsci.com/thermoelectric-effects-apparatus/ap8124/
2. Millikan Oil Drop apparatus : $ 539.95 (purchased and delivered to the Physics Department on June 26, 2024)
https://sci-supply.com/millikan-oil-drop-apparatus-european-220-240-vac-model/
* Oil, 2 Dram, Refill, Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus – Qty 6 ($35.70) (these items were added to the above order)
3. Speed of Light Apparatus : $ 282.98 (purchased and delivered to the Physics Department on June 26, 2024)
https://www.arborsci.com/products/speed-of-light-apparatus
4. HeNe Laser, 632.8 nm, 10 mW, Polarized (THOR Labs) : $ 2,302.65 (purchased and delivered to the Physics Department on June 26, 2024)
https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=HNL100LB
5. Right Angle Prism Mirror, Protected Gold, L = 50.0 mm (THOR Labs) : $ 239.30 (purchased and delivered to the Physics Department on June 26, 2024)
https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=MRA50-M01
