Physics

Let there be light, sound, fluids and quantum weirdness

We love physics in all its forms, from new research on mind-bending concepts like quantum weirdness and spooky action at a distance to the science of sounds and fluids to all the forces that push, pull, stick and slip. Here we tackle the macroscopic, the subatomic, the strange, the cool, the groundbreaking and the obscure.

New research finds the optical effect previously produced using strictly quantum techniques may have broader applications.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
Scientists use something that comes from space to peer into large objects like pyramids
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
New research suggests they create a newfound type of air vortex to slow their descent.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
The operating principles of ordinary magnetic stirrers may help create better microfluidic pumps for applications ranging from inkjet printing to drug delivery.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
New research reveals how wet porous materials collapse under pressure.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
Innovations in laser methods and technology won Nobel Prizes in 2017 and 2018, but not all lasers are the same.
Claire Cleveland, Contributor
Optical tweezers developed by a new Nobel laureate could potentially be used on slightly larger objects, but not spacecraft.
Ramin Skibba, Contributor
Optical innovations made by the three new laureates help scientists control tiny organisms and make incredibly short and powerful laser pulses.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
Certain types of research and people have been historically underrepresented in the ranks of Nobel winners.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
Defects in crystals may be useful for designing spintronic devices, which use the magnetic properties of electrons for processing information.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
Physicists harness ultrasound to make bubbles last longer.
Marcus Woo, Contributor
Scientists discovered that water droplets don’t just passively roll around on a hot skillet.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor