Top Awards go to Williams College Physics Professor Williams Wootters

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Professor William Wootters
Professor William Wootters is to be honored for his outstanding achievements in physics, not once, but twice in the academic year, by The American Physical Society and by the National Institute on Information and Communications Technology. In recognition of his pioneering work in quantum theory, the National Institute on Information and Communications Technology bestowed its 2006 International Quantum Communications Award on Wootters at a ceremony in Tsukuba, Japan, Nov. 28-30. The award is given every two years at the International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement, and Computing. Wootters is the Barclay Jermain Professor of Natural Philosophy at Williams College. His research specialty, quantum information theory, is the study of information stored or processed in objects that must be described by quantum mechanics, such as individual atoms. Information stored in quantum systems behaves very differently from ordinary information. It cannot, for example, be copied perfectly. Despite these restrictions, this ghostly sort of information could be of great value in "quantum computation" and "quantum cryptography." Wootters' work on "teleportation" of quantum information has been widely cited in both the scientific and popular press. While his own work is at the most basic and theoretical level, other scientists around the world are seeking to bring these ideas to practical fruition. Wootters will be awarded The American Physical Society (APS) Prize to a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution at a ceremony in Denver, Co. in March. The prize is the highest national award of its kind. It is given annually to honor a physicist recognized as contributing substantially to physics research and providing inspirational guidance and encouragement to undergraduate students participating in this research. The APS cited Wootters "for his pioneering work on quantum teleportation, his widely cited contributions to quantum information theory, and his prolific engagement of undergraduate students in this research at the foundation of quantum mechanics." Physics Department Chair Kevin Jones commented, "Bill Wootters is remarkable for his skill in weaving his teaching and research interests together. He has a knack for identifying interesting problems, is able to explain them clearly and precisely, and then engage beginning researchers in their solution." In a recent interview in APS's Quantum Times newsletter, Wootters was asked about doing quantum theory research at a small institution like Williams College. "I think both theory and experiment can thrive at a liberal arts college," he said, "because the problems are never very far removed from elementary quantum mechanics. One metaphor [is] that one could look for good problems 'near the trunk' of the discipline as opposed to looking at the ends of the longest branches." Wootters has been at Williams since 1982 and teaches courses that range from those intended for non-science majors to the most advanced upper level tutorials. With mathematician Susan Loepp he teaches a highly successful interdisciplinary course called "Protecting Information." He and his students have published in prestigious scientific journals, including Physical Review Letters. In 2000, he was elected as a fellow of the APS for his "contributions on the foundations of quantum mechanics and groundbreaking work in quantum information and communications theory." Wootters received his B.S. from Stanford University in 1973 and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. The American Physical Society has been the leading voice for the advancement and diffusion of physics nationally and internationally for over 100 years. The APS publishes major scientific journals such as the Physical Review. This is the 20th year of the QCMC, organized by the National Institute on Information and Communications Technology (NICT). The NICT is a Japanese-based organization seeking to advance both national and international scientific understanding. Its goals include the development of technology to strengthen the economy, health, and the environment.
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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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