Author

Dr. Y. Hancock is a lecturer in the Department of Physics at The University of York, York, United Kingdom. Yvette specialises in quantum mechanics applied to nanotechnology. Her current research interest is the 2010 Nobel prize-winning material graphene. Recently, she has also been interested in the study of biomedical systems and archaeological artefacts using Raman spectroscopy. In 2003, she achieved her PhD from the Department of Physics, Monash University on theoretical (quantum) studies of magnetism at the nanoscale. Yvette has also trained in the performing arts under the direction of Ms Ruth Lane at the former Thurlane Performing Arts academy in Melbourne, Australia.

Yvette believes that physics is accessible at all levels — even quantum physics — and that children are particularly able to appreciate the wonderful, strange worlds and concepts derived from quantum theory. She specialises in teaching complex physics concepts and making these accessible through entertainment.

In 2002 she created several quantum characters, ‘Ellie the Electron’, ‘Psi the mysterious wave function’, ‘Mr Energy Op’, ‘Mr Position Op’, ‘Mean Mr Pauli’, ‘Einstein the famous quantum magician’, ‘Mad Mikey the Electron Microscope’, and others, to demonstrate that quantum physics, and physics in general, is accessible and fun! She is currently finishing illustrations and paintings for her children’s books, which will be available shortly.

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