Print edition – September 2008
Features
Rebirth of the hot
When physicists in Japan discovered a new generation of high-temperature iron-based superconductors earlier this year, the finding prompted a huge surge of interest in these novel materials and rekindled the dream of room-temperature superconductivity, as Hai-Hu Wen explains
Eyeballing the universe
Just over a year ago, the online project Galaxy Zoo was launched. Two of its founders, Chris Lintott and Kate Land, reflect on the story of one of the most innovative astronomy projects out there
Renaissance man
The Italian physicist Edoardo Amaldi, who was born 100 years ago this month, worked in nuclear physics in the Fermi group before the Second World War and, afterwards, contributed to particle physics and to gravitational-wave research. However, he also played a key role in the setting up of CERN and the European Space Agency, and in promoting arms control, as his son Ugo Amaldi explains
Quanta
Cow power
The LHC's a rap
Space networking
Thesis that will rock you
Frontiers
Clocking the signal of entanglement
Liquid mirror deforms
Dark energy gives its 'most direct' signal
Helium monster waves
Third world microscope
News & Analysis
LHC finally gets ready for action 1 comment
Particle collider turns up the charm
Bangalore looks to new interdisciplinary science centre
Scientists condemn space-chief sacking
France sets its universities free
Great debate probes Pluto's planetary credentials
US nuclear repository under threat
Monitoring the melting of the Arctic
US plans new prototype reactor
UK consolidates nuclear capabilities
Beijing looks to the stars
And the winners are...
Editorial
Surprise return 1 comment
High-temperature superconductors are centre stage once again
All set for the LHC
Forum
First a tragedy, then farce
A programme to be proud of
Critical Point
Quantum of culture
Terminology from quantum theory shows up frequently in popular culture - from art and films to sculpture and poetry. Robert P Crease asks for your favourite examples
Letters
Think outside the box
Biofuels: not so bad
A model physicist
Reviews
Einstein unmasked
Cosmic eruptions
It's all relative
A flat-out read
A tale of eternal energy 1 comment
Edwin Cartlidge on Philip Ball's first science novel
Blog life: Leaves on the Line
Andrew Jaffe: an American in London
Careers
Rewards of renewables 2 comments
Thanks to concerns about carbon emissions and the rising price of fossil fuels, the green-energy industry is currently experiencing huge growth worldwide. This presents plenty of interesting and lucrative opportunities for physicists, as Gregory McNamee describes
Once a physicist: Umberto Guidoni
Umberto Guidoni is a former astronaut and a member of the European Parliament, belonging to the Party of Italian Communists