Read article: Physicists sound-out acoustic tractor beam Ultracold matter Research update Physicists sound-out acoustic tractor beam New technique could be used in a range of medical treatments
Read article: Did slippery sand help Egyptians build the pyramids? Surfaces and interfaces Research update Did slippery sand help Egyptians build the pyramids? A little bit of water cuts friction in half
Read article: New lens could turn your phone into a microscope Soft matter and liquids Research update New lens could turn your phone into a microscope High-quality DIY lens is cheap to make and could help diagnose diseases
Read article: Physicists create frictionless flow by adding more friction Soft matter and liquids Research update Physicists create frictionless flow by adding more friction Counterintuitive effect could lead to better processing of materials
Read article: Acoustic metamaterial can be reconfigured in a jiffy Soft matter and liquids Research update Acoustic metamaterial can be reconfigured in a jiffy Breakthrough could lead to ultrasonic superlenses
Read article: Scientists crack oyster’s secret of strength Soft matter and liquids Research update Scientists crack oyster’s secret of strength Nanoscale study of sturdy shells could lead to better body armour
Read article: Nanoparticles boost solar-energy capture by plants Soft matter and liquids Research update Nanoparticles boost solar-energy capture by plants Nanotube-augmented plants are a "nanobionic" first
Read article: Molecules line up for X-ray diffraction Ultrafast science Research update Molecules line up for X-ray diffraction New technique could soon be used on peptides
Read article: Researchers spin a yarn into a muscle Surfaces and interfaces Research update Researchers spin a yarn into a muscle Everyday polymer fibres used to create artificial muscles
Read article: Electronic whiskers could help robots navigate Transport properties Research update Electronic whiskers could help robots navigate Life-like structures can detect a gentle breeze
Physics World podcast Explore our two regular podcast series, Physics World Weekly and Physics World Stories