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Editor's choice

Physics World magazine special issue on energy and climate change

Download a free PDF of the October 2009 issue

In depth: Plasma physics

An unusual alliance between physicists who study ultrahot plasmas and ultracold atoms is yielding intriguing results – and may even lead to an experimental test for string theory, as Barbara Jacak reveals

The power of robotics

Jun 2, 2009 2 comments Opinion

Robotics competitions supply a vital missing link in science and engineering education, says Robert P Crease

Web life: Hyperphysics

May 1, 2009 1 comment Review

More than wishful thinking

May 1, 2009 15 comments Review

Doing science in the open

May 1, 2009 12 comments Feature

Online networking tools are pervasive, but why have scientists been so slow to adopt many of them? Michael Nielsen explains how we can build a better culture of online collaboration

In search of the black swans

Apr 1, 2009 14 comments Feature

The publish-or-perish ethic too often favours a narrow and conservative approach to scientific innovation. Mark Buchanan asks whether we are pushing revolutionary ideas to the margins

Another giant leap for mankind

Mar 2, 2009 1 comment Feature

The Moon has been neglected by space scientists and astronomers alike since the Apollo days, but now we want to go back. Paul D Spudis explains what motivates the new vision of lunar exploration

Fusion ambassador

Feb 2, 2009

From boss of the CERN particle-physics lab to head of the UK’s fusion programme, Chris Llewellyn Smith has held some of the top jobs in physics. He talks to Michael Banks about his new roles in the ITER fusion project and a plan to help science in the Middle East

Web life: The Internet Plasma Physics Education Experience

Feb 2, 2009 Review

Explore the physics of fusion through interactive games on a simulated tokamak

Reasons to be cheerful

Jan 5, 2009 3 comments Opinion

The economy may be in a nosedive but there is plenty to look forward to in science this year

...And now for the next 20 years

Oct 1, 2008 3 comments Feature

Six leading physicists peek into the future

The global-village pioneers

Oct 1, 2008 1 comment Feature

Paul Ginsparg, who founded the arXiv e-print archive, recounts the early days of the Web and looks at how it has changed scientific communication

Two decades and counting...

Oct 1, 2008 Feature

Opening this special issue marking the 20th anniversary of the launch of Physics World, Matin Durrani says that the magazine still has a vital role to play in the electronic age

Tessella gets to work on ITER's computer systems

Sep 12, 2008 Feature

Tessella is providing software services to the next-generation ITER fusion reactor being built in France. The UK-based firm’s fusion project manager, Richard Layne, explains how the company is building on its extensive experience supporting fusion research at the Joint European Torus

Industrial procurement in fusion