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Nottingham physics redundancies ‘an act of academic sabotage’, warn scientists

Why is rubber so resilient?

New molecular dynamics simulations may have provided the answer to this nearly century-old question

A pile of black charcoal against a white background

Switchable skyrmions light up terahertz communications

A chip-sized device that can switch between two topologically protected light structures opens up a route to wireless communications that cannot be scrambled by the environment

Research updates

Earth’s magnetic field could be ‘ringing’ with dark matter

Gravitational waves could leave traces in light from cold atoms

Artist's illustration showing two black holes coming together and emitting gravitational waves that radiate outwards, warping a grid of space-time as they go. In the foreground, little Bohr-model atoms are emitting different colours of light in different directions, and a graph below is keeping track of the emissions. Everything is set against a background of stars and glowing gas.

Altermagnetic insulator shows giant magneto-optical Kerr effect

Four-image figure illustrating MOKE data. Images a and c show the domains themselves, which appear as boundaries between different shades of grey on a block of material. Images b and d show the MOKE signal when a square-wave magnetic field is applied to the material.

Physicists spot signs of an atom-like system bound by the strong force alone

Observations of a nucleus paired with a neutral meson could provide new insights into the theory of quantum chromodynamics

‘Einstein’s flying mirror’ technique opens a path towards extreme light intensities

New strategy could allow physicists to conduct previously impossible experiments in which light interacts directly with the quantum vacuum

Ultrasound-activated nanoparticles shine a light deep within living tissues

Non-invasive technique could lead to new forms of light-based therapy for cancer and genetic conditions

Non-invasive MRI test could enable early detection of heart failure

A high-resolution, motion-resolved MRI method provides rapid and reliable measurement of heart oxygen consumption

New W boson mass measurement agrees with Standard Model predictions

Result described as a "huge relief" after previous measurements suggested a large discrepancy

Gap in neutrino energy spectrum raises questions about cosmic environments

New analyses by the IceCube observatory could help scientists understand where neutrinos form and what is producing them

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Latest news

Officials hail ‘major milestone’ for US Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment

Report highlights challenges and opportunities for UK medical physics

Medical physicists examine MRI brain scan

People
News

Researchers express ‘grave concern’ over attacks on Iranian institutions and science

damage at Isfahan University of Technology

The latest opinion and reviews

‘Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers’: how Alfred Tennyson drew science into his poetry

Woodcut drawing of Tennyson sat at a desk surrounded by books, papers, globes and his dog

The strange metaphor of Euglena’s tail

Robert P Crease and Gino Elia unpick the strange “QBism” interpretation of quantum mechanics

Euglena green and ciliate in the natural environment

Why patents are so vital for the quantum economy

Mark Saunders explains why intellectual property is crucial for quantum technology

Physics World podcasts

Paul Howarth: IOP president highlights the need to raise the profile of physics in society

Near-oxymoronic requirements: the materials challenges of fusion energy

Oppenheimer unfiltered: rare recordings released to the public

Explore our two regular podcast series! Physics World Weekly looks at the latest events and headlines in physics, as well as featuring short interviews with scientists and our team of journalists. Physics World Stories takes a more in-depth look at a topic.

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Quantum science in the heart of Dublin

Trinity College Dublin is at the centre of a burgeoning quantum ecosystem in Ireland, and students on Trinity’s MSc Quantum Science and Technology are right in the middle of it a...

Quiz of the week: what technique may be able to create super-high laser intensities?

Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out

Photo of several researchers in a laboratory. They're all wearing identical dark blue shirts and have laser safety goggles on their heads

Is LMFP the next big thing for EV batteries?

Join the audience for a live webinar at 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. EDT on 24 June 2026

Can LMFP outpace LFP and NMC for EVs? – Maybe, if we can build better batteries!

Striking mathematical pattern uncovered in Chinese money plant leaves

The team say it is the first demonstration of 'Voronoi patterns' in plants

Thumbs up to Artemis II: a jigsaw puzzle

Can you reconstruct the space image we’ve pulled apart?

Four astronauts floating in a space capsule holding thumbs up and smiling

Final look inside the Cavendish lab’s 50-year home before demolition

Mićo Tatalović vists the former site of Cambridge University’s physics department before it is demolished

Quiz of the week: what device have physicists used to print ‘structural colours’?

Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out

Images printed with structural colour ink

Word flower puzzle no. 4

How many words can you find in this puzzle?

One giant leap: Artemis II returns humanity to the Moon

Artemis II has returned humanity to the Moon, gripping the whole world. Keith Cooper follows the mission’s journey and looks at what comes next for humans in spa...

Orion module in foreground with the Moon behind and then in the far distance a crescent of Earth

Theranostics: building the bridge between nuclear medicine and radiation oncology

Integrated technologies from Mirion Medical can help physicists introduce theranostics into the clinic

Semiconductor metrology and standards will ensure the UK plays to its strengths

New roadmap states the UK must prioritize its capabilities in semiconductor standards

Delegates at a UK semiconductor workshop

Memory device breaks high-temperature performance record

New memristor works at temperatures above 700 °C thanks to a bottom electrode made from graphene

Featured employer

Physics World Jobs offers a range of opportunities for jobseekers with a background in physics or engineering. At all stages of your career, we can help find the job for you

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

For more than 60 years, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has applied science and technology to make the world a safer place. Its defining responsibility is ensuring the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s nuclear deterrent

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Featured webinar

Tune into online presentations that allow expert speakers to explain novel tools and applications

From bunkers to bright spaces: the future of smart shielded radiosurgery treatment rooms

Join the audience for a live webinar at 4 p.m. GMT/5 p.m. CET on 31 March 2026

Discover how smart shielding enables bright, modern radiosurgery rooms beyond traditional bunker designs

Sponsored by Elekta

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Featured event

Stay up to date with the latest international conferences, symposia and exhibitions for interdisciplinary scientists working across academic research and industry

Innovations in Applied Mechanics 2026

23—26 September 2026 | London, UK

Innovations in Applied Mechanics brings together two previous, highly successful conferences MPSVA – Modern Practice in Stress and Vibration Analysis and DAMAS – International Conference on Damage Assessment in Structures to present research findings in stress analysis, vibration dynamics and structural damage assessment with the intention of providing directed focus on the state-of-the-art in theoretical and experimental methodology.

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