Physics Today
@physicstoday.bsky.social
The world's most popular physics magazine.
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physicstoday.org
Bottom-up self-assembly is a powerful approach to engineering at small scales. As Gregory Grason, W. Benjamin Rogers, and Michael Hagan illustrate, materials scientists use several strategies to formulate nanoscale components that can self-assemble into predetermined shapes with precise sizes.
Teaching nanostructures to build themselves
Bottom-up self-assembly is a powerful approach to engineering at small scales. Special strategies are needed to formulate components that assemble into predetermined shapes with precise sizes.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Bottom-up self-assembly is a powerful approach to engineering at small scales. As Gregory Grason, W. Benjamin Rogers, and Michael Hagan illustrate, materials scientists use several strategies to formulate nanoscale components that can self-assemble into predetermined shapes with precise sizes.
To disperse their seeds, some plants launch them as ballistic projectiles. Our new Quick Study by Dwight Whitaker of @pomonacollege.bsky.social delves into how this dynamic mechanism works. #physics #biophysics
How plant seeds fly
Although plants often rely on wind and water to carry their seeds and spores, some have evolved extraordinary launch mechanisms to disperse them.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
To disperse their seeds, some plants launch them as ballistic projectiles. Our new Quick Study by Dwight Whitaker of @pomonacollege.bsky.social delves into how this dynamic mechanism works. #physics #biophysics
If you looked at the night sky in fall 2024, you may have seen comet C/2023 A3. Our newest #BackScatter is a photo of the comet taken by Binyu Wang and his teacher Li Shen, which won first place in the Natural category of the 2025 @aapthq.bsky.social High School Physics Photo Contest. #ITeachPhysics
A comet’s ghost tail
physicstoday.aip.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you looked at the night sky in fall 2024, you may have seen comet C/2023 A3. Our newest #BackScatter is a photo of the comet taken by Binyu Wang and his teacher Li Shen, which won first place in the Natural category of the 2025 @aapthq.bsky.social High School Physics Photo Contest. #ITeachPhysics
Axel Hübner is a quantitative analyst at Deutsche Bank. He likes applying his physics knowledge to the real world. It helps that the work pays well. #physics #whatcanphysicistsdo
Axel Hübner tests financial models for a bank
physicstoday.aip.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Axel Hübner is a quantitative analyst at Deutsche Bank. He likes applying his physics knowledge to the real world. It helps that the work pays well. #physics #whatcanphysicistsdo
A curious composition of two isotopes in the kilometer-sized Ryugu asteroid has led researchers to a new interpretation of how water could have persisted in its parent body for a billion years. #astronomy #physics
Lutetium and hafnium tell the story of liquid water on asteroid Ryugu
Despite the tumultuous history of the near-Earth object's parent body, water may have been preserved in the asteroid for about a billion years.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A curious composition of two isotopes in the kilometer-sized Ryugu asteroid has led researchers to a new interpretation of how water could have persisted in its parent body for a billion years. #astronomy #physics
Physicist Richard Garwin, a giant in the field, died in May 2025 at age 97. Famous for designing the first hydrogen bomb, Garwin was also a prominent adviser—and occasional critic—of the US government. Three of his close colleagues examine his career for @physicstoday.bsky.social. #physics #histSTM
Remembering Richard Garwin, physicist and science adviser
The polymath scientist leaves behind a monumental legacy in both the scientific and political realms.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Physicist Richard Garwin, a giant in the field, died in May 2025 at age 97. Famous for designing the first hydrogen bomb, Garwin was also a prominent adviser—and occasional critic—of the US government. Three of his close colleagues examine his career for @physicstoday.bsky.social. #physics #histSTM
How can a physics graduate get a job outside of academia? To understand what companies look for when hiring, Physics Today's Alex Lopatka recently spoke to scientists in the private sector. The big takeaway: soft skills like communication are often just as important as technical skills. #physics
Landing a job in the private sector
Technical knowledge and skills are only some of the considerations that managers have when hiring physical scientists. Soft skills, in particular communication, are also high on the list.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:53 PM
How can a physics graduate get a job outside of academia? To understand what companies look for when hiring, Physics Today's Alex Lopatka recently spoke to scientists in the private sector. The big takeaway: soft skills like communication are often just as important as technical skills. #physics
Although the US was once the "crown jewel for science," the political and funding climate has changed the calculus for STEM scholars considering coming from abroad. #physics #science
Equation changes for international STEM scholars deciding whether to come to US
Even as funding cuts, visa issues, border fears, and other hurdles detract from US attractiveness, some scholars still come.
physicstoday.aip.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
As director of technology at a video software company, Eric Frederick programs software that can track particles and analyze ballistic flight, among other scenarios. His physics background is essential for helping customers collect data and create models. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Eric Frederick programs motion-tracking software
physicstoday.aip.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
As director of technology at a video software company, Eric Frederick programs software that can track particles and analyze ballistic flight, among other scenarios. His physics background is essential for helping customers collect data and create models. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Curious about what makes Halloween chocolate so creamy and smooth? In 2006, food scientist Erich Windhab outlined the delectable physics behind cocoa-based desserts. #physics #halloween 🎃👻🍫
What makes for smooth, creamy chocolate?
Chocolatiers adjust properties of chocolate’s ingredients to confect a treat that feels as good as it tastes.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Curious about what makes Halloween chocolate so creamy and smooth? In 2006, food scientist Erich Windhab outlined the delectable physics behind cocoa-based desserts. #physics #halloween 🎃👻🍫
After Liting Xiao branded herself with a personal website and on LinkedIn, recruiters reached out. She soon moved from academia into the financial sector and found the switch to be easy: in both cases she was sifting through noisy data for patterns. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Liting Xiao searches for patterns in financial markets
physicstoday.aip.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:07 PM
After Liting Xiao branded herself with a personal website and on LinkedIn, recruiters reached out. She soon moved from academia into the financial sector and found the switch to be easy: in both cases she was sifting through noisy data for patterns. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Reposted by Physics Today
this is such a great program & a really useful resource.
@nanoscaleviews.bsky.social & @debrakolah.bsky.social - would be great if photos of Rice physicists were well-represented in the collection.
@nanoscaleviews.bsky.social & @debrakolah.bsky.social - would be great if photos of Rice physicists were well-represented in the collection.
Do you take snapshots of your everyday life as a physical scientist? @aip.bsky.social is soliciting photos from scientists at all career stages and disciplines from around the world to broaden its 30 000+ photo collection, which is used frequently by historians. #physics #astronomy #histSTM
Archivists seek photos of today's physical scientists
The goal of a new crowdsourcing effort is to build a more contemporary and inclusive visual record of the physical sciences community.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:38 AM
this is such a great program & a really useful resource.
@nanoscaleviews.bsky.social & @debrakolah.bsky.social - would be great if photos of Rice physicists were well-represented in the collection.
@nanoscaleviews.bsky.social & @debrakolah.bsky.social - would be great if photos of Rice physicists were well-represented in the collection.
Do you take snapshots of your everyday life as a physical scientist? @aip.bsky.social is soliciting photos from scientists at all career stages and disciplines from around the world to broaden its 30 000+ photo collection, which is used frequently by historians. #physics #astronomy #histSTM
Archivists seek photos of today's physical scientists
The goal of a new crowdsourcing effort is to build a more contemporary and inclusive visual record of the physical sciences community.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Do you take snapshots of your everyday life as a physical scientist? @aip.bsky.social is soliciting photos from scientists at all career stages and disciplines from around the world to broaden its 30 000+ photo collection, which is used frequently by historians. #physics #astronomy #histSTM
Jovana Andrejević Kim's graduate research examined how paper crumples. She's now a research scientist at CLO Virtual Fashion, where one of her recent projects focused on minimizing fabric waste. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Jovana Andrejević Kim minimizes fabric waste
physicstoday.aip.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Jovana Andrejević Kim's graduate research examined how paper crumples. She's now a research scientist at CLO Virtual Fashion, where one of her recent projects focused on minimizing fabric waste. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Reposted by Physics Today
Learn more about the work of AIP's librarians & archivists to build a more contemporary and inclusive visual record of the physical sciences community in this new @physicstoday.bsky.social article -> "Archivists seek photos of today’s physical scientists" physicstoday.aip.org/news/archivi...
October 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Learn more about the work of AIP's librarians & archivists to build a more contemporary and inclusive visual record of the physical sciences community in this new @physicstoday.bsky.social article -> "Archivists seek photos of today’s physical scientists" physicstoday.aip.org/news/archivi...
Makarand Paranjape wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a theoretical physicist, but his father recommended he do something more hands-on. He ended up in a physics department all the same, where he focuses on designing microscale biomedical devices. #physics #devices
Q&A: Makarand Paranjape explores the microscale for medicine
Blending physics, materials science, chemistry, and biology, the researcher designs devices to improve human health.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Joyful Mdhluli woke up one day and realized she didn’t want to stay in academia. She now works at a nonprofit in Cape Town, South Africa, where she coordinates major projects that use astronomy for social benefit. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Joyful Mdhluli manages astronomy projects that benefit society
physicstoday.aip.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Joyful Mdhluli woke up one day and realized she didn’t want to stay in academia. She now works at a nonprofit in Cape Town, South Africa, where she coordinates major projects that use astronomy for social benefit. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
More from what can physicists do? series from @physicstoday.bsky.social
Joyful Mdhluli manages astronomy projects that benefit society
physicstoday.aip.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Physics Today
In today's AIP History Weekly Edition, guest contributor Don Opitz looks at the multitudinous scholarly and professional contributions of the late Margaret Rossiter in creating a historiography of women in science. #HPS
In memoriam: Margaret Walsh Rossiter, pathbreaker in “writing women into science”
AIP History Weekly Edition: October 24, 2025
www.aip.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
In today's AIP History Weekly Edition, guest contributor Don Opitz looks at the multitudinous scholarly and professional contributions of the late Margaret Rossiter in creating a historiography of women in science. #HPS
Astrophysicist Josiah Schwab hasn’t looked back since he stepped off the academic ladder to become a software engineer at Waymo. Conversations with other physicists who had moved into industry helped him realize that he wanted to change directions. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Josiah Schwab evaluates self-driving cars
physicstoday.aip.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Astrophysicist Josiah Schwab hasn’t looked back since he stepped off the academic ladder to become a software engineer at Waymo. Conversations with other physicists who had moved into industry helped him realize that he wanted to change directions. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Interviews with early-career scientists reveal the ways that professional societies foster a sense of belonging, write @tjowens.bsky.social and Anne Marie Porter. They also provide opportunities for members to give back to the community. #physics #astronomy
A home base for your career
Professional societies can foster a sense of belonging and offer early-career scientists opportunities to give back to their community.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Interviews with early-career scientists reveal the ways that professional societies foster a sense of belonging, write @tjowens.bsky.social and Anne Marie Porter. They also provide opportunities for members to give back to the community. #physics #astronomy
Reposted by Physics Today
When I wrote this "Quick Study" on Weakened Magnetic Braking for @physicstoday.bsky.social in 2018, we already had the physical picture largely correct – we just didn't have all of the evidence in hand to support it. Now we do. physicstoday.aip.org/quick-study/...
The Sun’s magnetic midlife crisis
Old Sun-like stars observed by the Kepler Space Telescope spin faster than astronomers expected. Apparently, they experience a dramatic shift in their rotation and magnetism at about middle age.
physicstoday.aip.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
When I wrote this "Quick Study" on Weakened Magnetic Braking for @physicstoday.bsky.social in 2018, we already had the physical picture largely correct – we just didn't have all of the evidence in hand to support it. Now we do. physicstoday.aip.org/quick-study/...
Roohi Dalal used to study the distribution of dark matter. Now, as deputy director of public policy at @aas.org, she interfaces with government officials to ensure that the astronomical community's needs are met. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics #astronomy
Roohi Dalal advocates on Capitol Hill for the astronomy community
physicstoday.aip.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Roohi Dalal used to study the distribution of dark matter. Now, as deputy director of public policy at @aas.org, she interfaces with government officials to ensure that the astronomical community's needs are met. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics #astronomy
Partly because programming wasn’t his thing, @funranium.bsky.social got interested in lab safety. He now has a master’s in health physics and works as a laser safety officer at the University of California, Berkeley. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Phil Broughton keeps laboratories safe
physicstoday.aip.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Partly because programming wasn’t his thing, @funranium.bsky.social got interested in lab safety. He now has a master’s in health physics and works as a laser safety officer at the University of California, Berkeley. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics
Reposted by Physics Today
Just heard that Bert Schwarzschild passed away last week in his sleep at age 90. He had been ill for some time. Bert was one of the longest serving editors at Physics Today, and one of the best editors I knew at taking what looked like a garbled mess and turn it into something worthwhile to read.
October 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Just heard that Bert Schwarzschild passed away last week in his sleep at age 90. He had been ill for some time. Bert was one of the longest serving editors at Physics Today, and one of the best editors I knew at taking what looked like a garbled mess and turn it into something worthwhile to read.