Rockland physicist's predicted new nuclear matter discovered

The final two paragraphs are the important ones.

From lohud.com: Rockland physicist's predicted new nuclear matter discovered
SUFFERN — Twenty-five years after Rockland resident Quamrul Haider, a physicist, predicted the existence of a new form of nuclear matter, the discovery has been confirmed by others in the international physics community.

For Haider, the discoveries are bringing him recognition after a lifetime of work in the highly technical field. He is a professor of physics at Fordham University and also helps with a science training program in the Yonkers school system.

“It’s the final seal of approval of the work I’ve been doing for the last 25 years,” said Haider, who has lived in Suffern for eight years.

The theoretical work Haider and colleagues did years ago predicted a new form of nuclear matter.

The matter is composed of an eta meson trapped inside a nucleus, which they termed an eta-mesic nucleus. It is 100,000 times smaller than previously discovered mesic atoms.

The discovery led to a new sub-field in nuclear physics called mesic nuclear physics.

Haider said the discovery extends the understanding of nuclear physics. It’s not yet clear what the practical application will be.

“You can’t put a price tag on this,” he said.

Haider hopes to share his love of physics with other students.

He plans to visit Suffern High School, where his daughter is a student, to talk about physics. He also has a son in college. His wife works for the Ramapo Central School District.

Through his work at Fordham University, Haider has become involved in a program that trains teachers in the Yonkers school district.

Haider, a native of Bangladesh, hopes that American schools can improve the level of science education they provide students.

“Unfortunately, science is not up to par in our schools,” he said. “The level is too low. For our students to succeed, the curriculum has to be changed.”