Physics World Weekly Podcast podcast

Physics World Weekly Podcast

Physics World Weekly offers a unique insight into the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations from the global scientific community. Our award-winning journalists reveal what has captured their imaginations about the stories in the news this week, which might span anything from quantum physics and astronomy through to materials science, environmental research and policy, and biomedical science and technology. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out our monthly podcast Physics World Stories, which takes a more in-depth look at a specific theme.

Physics World Weekly offers a unique insight into the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations from the global scientific community. Our award-winning journalists reveal what has captured their imaginations about the stories in the news this week, which might span anything from quantum physics and astronomy through to materials science, environmental research and policy, and biomedical science and technology. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out our monthly podcast Physics World Stories, which takes a more in-depth look at a specific theme.

 

#100

Ken’ichi Nomoto and Stanford Woosley share the 2026 Shaw Prize in Astronomy

Pair are honoured for their work on supernovae and nucleosynthesis

Yesterday

48 MINS

48:23

Yesterday


#99

‘Galactic archaeologists’ share the 2026 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics

Laureate Amina Helmi and Per Barth Lilje of the prize committee are our guests

11 Jun 2026

30 MINS

30:05

11 Jun 2026


#98

Inside EPSRC: Charlotte Deane on funding the future of UK physics

The executive chair of the UK funding agency is our podcast guest

04 Jun 2026

30 MINS

30:18

04 Jun 2026


#97

Open data: the benefits and challenges of sharing a precious resource

Laura Feetham-Walker of IOP Publishing is our podcast guest

28 May 2026

25 MINS

25:37

28 May 2026


#96

Thermodynamic computing: noise as a resource, not an enemy

Theoretical physicist Stephen Whitelam is our podcast guest

21 May 2026

37 MINS

37:47

21 May 2026


#95

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

Podcast interview also explores concerns about recent funding cuts to fundamental physics ... more

14 May 2026

36 MINS

36:05

14 May 2026


#94

Near-oxymoronic requirements: the materials challenges of fusion energy

Jacob John of the UK Atomic Energy Authority is our podcast guest

07 May 2026

32 MINS

32:49

07 May 2026


#93

Quantum sensors benefit from miniaturized ultrahigh vacuum

Florence Concepcion of Aquark Technologies is our podcast guest

23 Apr 2026

26 MINS

26:41

23 Apr 2026


#92

Proteins on manuscript reveal how Renaissance medicines were made

Our podcast guest develops technologies for proteomics

16 Apr 2026

49 MINS

49:46

16 Apr 2026


#91

Backing winners in deep tech: physicist and venture capitalist Alexandra Vidyuk

Our podcast guest began her career with a BSc in applied mathematics and physics

09 Apr 2026

32 MINS

32:06

09 Apr 2026


#90

Biomedical optics play crucial roles across medicine

Medical physicist, inventor and entrepreneur Brian Pogue is our podcast guest

02 Apr 2026

34 MINS

34:23

02 Apr 2026


#89

How IOP Publishing cut its carbon footprint by 36% since 2020

The company’s sustainability lead Liz Martin is our podcast guest

26 Mar 2026

27 MINS

27:31

26 Mar 2026


#88

From the classroom to the committee room: Dave Robertson MP on politics and physics

British politician talks about the importance of physicists and physics education

19 Mar 2026

28 MINS

28:41

19 Mar 2026


#87

Droplet scientists push the boundary between living and non-living matter

Systems governed by chemistry and physics, not biology, can behave in surprisingly lifelik... more

12 Mar 2026

41 MINS

41:14

12 Mar 2026


#86

Ultrasound system solves the ‘unsticking problem’ in biomedical research

Impulsonics’ “surround sound” technology frees-up living cells

05 Mar 2026

31 MINS

31:04

05 Mar 2026


#85

LHCb upgrade: CERN collaboration responds to UK funding cut

LHCb spokesperson-elect Tim Gershon is our podcast guest

26 Feb 2026

33 MINS

33:59

26 Feb 2026


#84

Quantum Systems Accelerator focuses on technologies for computing

Bert de Jong of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab is our podcast guest

19 Feb 2026

34 MINS

34:45

19 Feb 2026


#83

Asteroid deflection: why we need to get it right the first time

Aerospace engineer Rahil Makadia on the danger of asteroid “keyholes”

12 Feb 2026

22 MINS

22:14

12 Feb 2026


#82

Physics‑based simulations help diagnose and treat disease

Computer scientist Amanda Randles is our podcast guest

05 Feb 2026

27 MINS

27:43

05 Feb 2026


#81

AI-based tool improves the quality of radiation therapy plans for cancer treatment

Medical physicist Todd McNutt is our podcast guest

29 Jan 2026

38 MINS

38:33

29 Jan 2026