Today's headlines
Randomized measurements reveal topological quantum states
Researchers develop "recipe" for identifying topological invariants in the laboratory
Solitons from new fibre laser could improve eye surgery
Short and powerful pulses are held together by high-order dispersion
Fluids flow faster in liquid-walled channels
Replacing solid tube walls with magnetically confined ferrofluids reduces friction dramatically, providing a new way to pump blood without damaging it
Research updates
Anyons bunch together in a 2D conductor
Observations will be important for fundamental physics studies and may also aid the development of more robust quantum computers
Graphene quantum dots could treat autoimmune disorders
Study in mice reveals that graphene quantum dots could provide a therapy for the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis
Droplets created by speech could contribute to COVID-19 spread, new study suggests
Speaking loudly for just a minute broadcasts more than 1000 virions
Tipsy sludge worms simulate active polymers
Worms’ viscosity is controlled using temperature and alcohol
Nano-optomechanical resonator detects low-frequency bacteria vibrations
Spectrometry technique offers a new way to classify biological particles
Dual-layer spectral CT proves feasible for routine practice
Researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital add support to the clinical use of reduced-dose dual-layer spectral CT
Physics World podcasts
Physics in the pandemic: reports on how physicists are coping with the effects of the coronavirus
Read article: Physics in the pandemic: ‘Our habit of combining theory and experiments was an advantage for the lockdown’
Physics in the pandemic: ‘Our habit of combining theory and experiments was an advantage for the lockdown’
With restrictions easing in France, experimental physicist Tiphaine Kouadou and theorist Mattia Walschaers discuss their group's new safety measures
Read article: Physics in the pandemic: ‘Returning to the lab will be hugely beneficial for me’
Physics in the pandemic: ‘Returning to the lab will be hugely beneficial for me’
As an autistic person who struggles with big, unpredictable changes, PhD student Daisy Shearer looks forward to resuming old routines – with a few caveats
Read article: Physics in the pandemic: ‘There are discussions about how we might automate some of our day-to-day tasks’
Physics in the pandemic: ‘There are discussions about how we might automate some of our day-to-day tasks’
Scientists at the UK’s Vulcan laser are exploring ways to reduce the number of people physically present in the lab, says Laurence Bradley
Read article: Physics in the pandemic: ‘A lack of childcare hugely reduces productivity’
Physics in the pandemic: ‘A lack of childcare hugely reduces productivity’
Being shut out of labs and research facilities isn't the only barrier to scientific productivity, as Rose Waugh discovered
Explore in depth
Shedding light on the interfaces
Joe McEntee talks to surface scientist Karen Syres about striking a balance between teaching and research
Quantum inheritance and the ongoing quest for meaning
Phillip Ball reviews Quantum Legacies: Dispatches from an Uncertain World by David Kaiser
Plastic that doesn’t cost the Earth
With the pressure on to reduce our plastic pollution, scientists and innovators are developing new methods of reusing, retrieving and recycling. Anna Demming investigates
From Post-it Notes to microwaves – why serendipity lies at the heart of innovation
Accidental discoveries lie at the heart of many technological innovations. James McKenzie runs through his favourites
Money from maths
David Appell reviews The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution by Gregory Zuckerman
This is the critical point
Robert P Crease worries that physicists don’t realize why the humanities are so important
The search for the missing plastic
There are millions of tonnes of plastic in our oceans, but we can’t find it. Marric Stephens investigates how we’re searching for this elusive missing waste
Medical physics and biophysics
Find the information you need from IOP Publishing’s world-leading medical physics and biophysics journals and books, dedicated to supporting and improving research across the field, from fundamental science through to novel applications and facilities.
Video showcase
Latest articles
Read article: Sourdough tips from Fermilab, anti-5G USB stick does nothing, tracing a message in a bottle
Sourdough tips from Fermilab, anti-5G USB stick does nothing, tracing a message in a bottle
Excerpts from the Red Folder
Read article: So you think you know your physics and music trivia?
So you think you know your physics and music trivia?
Test your knowledge of physics and music in this week's fun trivia quiz
Read article: Multidisciplinary collaboration: the engine-room of opportunity
Multidisciplinary collaboration: the engine-room of opportunity
TTP’s multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers work with a diverse client base to invent, design and develop new products and technologies with lasting commercial impac...
Read article: Ministry of Recovery and Discovery
Ministry of Recovery and Discovery
Peter Wright on technologies that have created more problems than solutions
Read article: The Cassini spacecraft mission at Saturn
The Cassini spacecraft mission at Saturn
Join us for a live webinar at 2 p.m. BST on 4 June 2020 sponsored by XIA and AWE
Read article: New material could be used to make a liquid metal robot
New material could be used to make a liquid metal robot
Crushed material returns to its original shape on heating
Read article: Proton CT system lines up for small-animal studies
Proton CT system lines up for small-animal studies
Simulations reveal the optimal design of a proton CT system for incorporation into a proton-based preclinical radiation research platform
Read article: Ask me anything: Carole Mundell
Ask me anything: Carole Mundell
Carole Mundell is professor of extragalactic astronomy and head of astrophysics at the University of Bath and chief scientific adviser to the Foreign and Commonwea...
Read article: ‘Molecular movie’ shows how electrons rearrange to kick-off a chemical reaction
‘Molecular movie’ shows how electrons rearrange to kick-off a chemical reaction
X-ray technique could shed light on photosynthesis and vitamin D production
Read article: Astronomers see first evidence of a new planet being born
Astronomers see first evidence of a new planet being born
Combined measurements from two ESO telescopes provide evidence that a new planet is currently forming around the young star AB Aurigae
Read article: Women of science posters for you to colour, marshmallow LINACs, iridescent chocolate
Women of science posters for you to colour, marshmallow LINACs, iridescent chocolate
Excerpts from the Red Folder
Read article: Cryogenic temperature sensors: installation techniques for success
Cryogenic temperature sensors: installation techniques for success
Join the audience for a live webinar on 18 June 2020 sponsored by Lake Shore Cryotronics
Read article: Test your knowledge of art, space and science in this trivia quiz
Test your knowledge of art, space and science in this trivia quiz
How many can you get? Take the latest Physics Worldphysics-trivia quiz
Read article: Optical phased array steers blue light
Optical phased array steers blue light
New device could significantly reduce the size of the light projection components employed in many emerging applications
Read article: What happened to all the plastic we released into the oceans?
What happened to all the plastic we released into the oceans?
Scientists are puzzled about where the majority of marine plastics are ending up
Read article: Wearable supercapacitor stores energy using human sweat
Wearable supercapacitor stores energy using human sweat
Device eliminates the need for harmful battery electrolytes
Read article: Planned NASA space telescope renamed after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman
Planned NASA space telescope renamed after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman
The WFIRST mission will now be known as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
Read article: Prompt gammas could measure body composition during particle therapy
Prompt gammas could measure body composition during particle therapy
Proton and ion beam spectroscopy uses prompt gamma emission to determine oxygen and calcium concentrations in the human body
Quantum horizons
A new crop of quantum technologies is set to make waves in the commercial world. Get up to speed on what they are and what impact they will have in the future.
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