UW-Whitewater associate professor of physics receives a U.S. Patent

May 05, 2021

Ozgur Yavuzcetin, associate professor of physics, received a U.S. Patent for inventing a modified Newton’s Cradle that allows a person to visualize and test the concept of mechanical impedance, momentum and energy conservation. For example, a sphere with a small mass would have the ability to strike the cradle and lift a sphere of greater mass on the opposite side — if the spheres in between increased in mass themselves.

Yavuzcetin is eager to continue using his invention in his classes and train colleagues to use the device. “This way,” he said, “The product can be tested and gain a higher potential as a teaching tool,” which was the ultimate goal throughout the entire process.