Editor's choice
Want to spot a winning technology? Here’s the key skill you need
Ian Taylor looks at the value of estimation in the business world
UTC Quantum Center: collaboration turns quantum discovery into quantum impact
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signals its quantum ambitions
Research updates
Can we create a shield to protect Earth from solar storms?
A space-based system could help deflect potentially catastrophic interplanetary weather
Encapsulation enhances surface structure imaging of 2D quantum material
New technique allows researchers to probe the top layer of an atomically thin topological quantum material for the first time
Cosmic crisis averted as supernovae put dark energy back on track
New study confirms accelerating expansion of the universe
New class of magnons live a hundred times longer
Discovery could help in the development of on-chip quantum information technologies that can be scaled down to the nanoscale
Laser-based rotation of floating samples enables high-resolution 3D microscopy
Laser-driven thermoviscous flows provide contact-free rotation, transport or stabilization of delicate samples such as biological cells
Venus flytraps snap shut by rapid cell-wall softening
Previous theory of water transport is ruled out
Jobs hub
Access the latest physics careers advice
Latest news
The latest opinion and reviews
An open access future is only possible by addressing its problems
AI offers a challenge to the open-access business
Soviet institutes, Martian neighbours, Whovian science, stellar patterns and dystopian predictions: micro reviews of recent books
Condensed natter: Physics World editors give their compressed verdicts on top new books
Physics World podcasts
Physics World podcast
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.
Explore more of our recent articles
Quiz of the week: how do scientists hope to protect Earth from dangerous solar storms?
Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out
Read article: Quiz of the week: how do scientists hope to protect Earth from dangerous solar storms?
Mass spectrometry delivers fusion insights
A quadrupole mass analyser designed for fusion research combines radiation hardness with the ability to distinguish between the light atomic species involved in the nuclear reactio...
Read article: Mass spectrometry delivers fusion insights
Physics World’s Margaret Harris honoured for ‘Feature of the Year’
Exploration of quirky Nobel prizes bags ABSW award
Read article: Physics World’s Margaret Harris honoured for ‘Feature of the Year’
A demon of a puzzle: interactive cryptic crossword
Try this thermodynamics-themed cryptic crossword, republished in interactive form
Read article: A demon of a puzzle: interactive cryptic crossword
Quiz of the week: what’s the secret to the Venus flytrap’s swift closure?
Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out
Read article: Quiz of the week: what’s the secret to the Venus flytrap’s swift closure?
Word wave puzzle no.5
Can you work out the word in this puzzle?
Read article: Word wave puzzle no.5
Easy-to-use calculation tool estimates out-of-field neutron dose during proton therapy
Python-based tool calculates the neutron dose anywhere in a proton therapy treatment room using information from the treatment plan
Read article: Easy-to-use calculation tool estimates out-of-field neutron dose during proton therapy
HALHF is going all in on plasma acceleration
An experimental milestone in plasma acceleration at the UK’s CLARA test facility
Read article: HALHF is going all in on plasma acceleration
Soot from rocket launches is polluting Earth’s upper atmosphere
Problem set to worsen as launch numbers increase, say UCL researchers
Read article: Soot from rocket launches is polluting Earth’s upper atmosphere
Asymmetric weather pattern reveals exoplanet’s true atmosphere
New observations by the JWST provide a much clearer understanding of clouds on a distant world
Read article: Asymmetric weather pattern reveals exoplanet’s true atmosphere
Ask me anything: Mary Bishai – ‘For a self-professed nerd like me, doing big science is heaven’
Mary Bishai is an experimental neutrino physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the US
Read article: Ask me anything: Mary Bishai – ‘For a self-professed nerd like me, doing big science is heaven’
Sunlight can produce correlated pairs of photons
Novel source for quantum optics experiments could enable experiments in space or other locations with limited electricity
Read article: Sunlight can produce correlated pairs of photons
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
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
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.
Copyright © 2026 by IOP Publishing Ltd and individual contributors