Twitter: @PhysicsWorld
Site: physicsworld.com/l/audio
100 episodes
2015 to present
Average episode: 39 minutes
Open in Apple Podcasts • RSS
Categories: Interview-Style • Physics
Podcaster's summary: Physics is full of captivating stories, from ongoing endeavours to explain the cosmos to ingenious innovations that shape the world around us. In the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester talks to the people behind some of the most intriguing and inspiring scientific stories. Listen to the podcast to hear from a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, artists and other commentators. 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 the Physics World Weekly podcast, a science-news podcast presented by our award-winning science journalists.
| Episodes |
| 2024-Mar-22 • 49 minutes An orchestral trip through the moons of our solar system Amanda Lee Falkenberg describes the process of turning mysterious worlds into music |
| 2024-Feb-26 • 62 minutes Dark matter vs modified gravity: which team are you on? Two researchers who have switched sides in this heated cosmic debate |
| 2024-Jan-23 • 35 minutes Radio pioneers: the enduring role of ‘amateurs’ in radio astronomy With its wartime origins and iconic facilities, radio astronomy has always inspired curious tinkerers |
| 2023-Dec-19 • 45 minutes Radiant chills: the revolutionary science of laser cooling Chad Orzel discusses the pivotal breakthroughs in the history of laser cooling |
| 2023-Nov-21 • 41 minutes The biographer who inspired Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film Oppenheimer A conversation with Kai Bird, co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Robert Oppenheimer |
| 2023-Oct-13 • 40 minutes Physics for fairness: tackling global sustainability challenges through science Hear from two physical scientists applying their knowledge to create a more equitable world |
| 2023-Sep-04 • 58 minutes Green and novel: the future of energy generation Harnessing energy directly in space and from the ocean flow |
| 2023-Aug-07 • 30 minutes Our universe is humming with gravitational waves What the new discovery of gravitational wave imprints in pulsar signals can reveal about the cosmos |
| 2023-Jul-04 • 61 minutes Moore’s law in peril and the future of computing Demand for computer power continues to soar, but can the hardware keep up? |
| 2023-Jun-09 • 54 minutes Will AI chatbots replace physicists? Large language models are changing the way physics is taught and practised |
| 2023-May-12 • 38 minutes Cosmic generosity: a selfless investment in the future of physics Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell won a $3m prize and is giving it all to physics PhD students from under-represented groups |
| 2023-May-03 • 39 minutes How can we make lithium-ion batteries more sustainable? Circular economies and alternative lithium sources could reduce the environmental impacts |
| 2023-Mar-28 • 60 minutes Quantum melodies: the intersection of music and quantum physics Music generated by quantum computers is intriguing from musical and scientific perspectives |
| 2023-Feb-24 • 33 minutes Finding solace in the stars Astrophysicist’s story shows the power science and human connection |
| 2023-Jan-31 • 45 minutes Making spaceflight accessible to people with physical disabilities ESA launches parastronaut feasibility study to make spaceflight more inclusive |
| 2022-Dec-21 • 27 minutes Robin Ince and the joy of popular-science books Our traditional end-of-year episode will give you some holiday reading ideas |
| 2022-Nov-28 • 44 minutes Quantum technology gathers pace The 2022 Nobel Prize for Physics celebrated research that is underpinning a tech transformation |
| 2022-Oct-28 • 59 minutes Is the 2022 FIFA World Cup really carbon neutral? Investigating how sporting events can become more sustainable without losing their magic |
| 2022-Sep-16 • 57 minutes Trouble on the Horizon for UK-based researchers Political wrangling over the UK’s status in the Horizon Europe research programme leaves scientists in limbo |
| 2022-Aug-16 • 59 minutes The science-fiction legacy of Satyajit Ray Ray’s eclectic work is a treasure trove for scientists |
| 2022-Jul-04 • 57 minutes The Higgs boson discovery revisited Reflecting on that historic day, 10 years later |
| 2022-Jun-01 • 40 minutes Fixing our bodies with glass Bioglass can heal our bones while fending off harmful microbes |
| 2022-May-04 • 37 minutes Cutting the carbon footprint of supercomputing in scientific research More efficient coding and quantifying climate impacts are among the solutions |
| 2022-Apr-04 • 38 minutes JET’s record result and the quest for fusion energy Physics World Stories examines the recent breakthrough at the Joint European Torus experiment |
| 2022-Mar-08 • 51 minutes Music from our material world From spiderweb harmonies to a viral hit inspired by the COVID-19 spike protein |
| 2022-Jan-25 • 46 minutes The James Webb Space Telescope launches astronomy into a new era Now the mission has reached its destination, what lies ahead for the science programme? |
| 2021-Dec-22 • 48 minutes Physics books that captured the imagination in 2021 Some of the year’s best popular-science books and a Stephen Hawking quiz |
| 2021-Nov-24 • 42 minutes Sharing is caring: open hardware has global impact High-spec microscope is helping malaria diagnosis in Tanzania |
| 2021-Oct-20 • 43 minutes Searching for signs of alien technologies Astronomers are looking for the technosignatures of advanced civilizations |
| 2021-Sep-22 • 44 minutes Free and open-source software is driving physics forwards Pioneers of free and open-source software discuss opportunities and challenges for science |
| 2021-Aug-24 • 43 minutes We’re all going on a geeky holiday Science-themed vacations are gaining in popularity: hear from people who have caught the geek travel bug |
| 2021-Jul-09 • 51 minutes Deflecting asteroids and exploring a metal world Profiling NASA’s two upcoming asteroid missions, DART and Psyche |
| 2021-Jun-15 • 45 minutes Helgoland and the captivating origins of quantum theory Carlo Rovelli discusses his new book and the role of philosophical thought in physics |
| 2021-May-28 • 46 minutes The bots are not as fair-minded as they seem Physics World Stories investigates ethical issues at the heart of artificial intelligence |
| 2021-Apr-29 • 49 minutes Muon mania: are we finally on the brink of new physics? A detailed look at the two recent results from CERN and Fermilab |
| 2021-Mar-17 • 40 minutes Arecibo Observatory: a scientific giant that fell to Earth Exploring the legacy and the future of the Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico |
| 2021-Feb-10 • 44 minutes Searching for signs of past life on Mars with NASA’s Perseverance rover Exploring the scientific goals of one of the three missions to arrive at Mars this month |
| 2021-Jan-22 • 48 minutes Life at CERN during the pandemic How the particle-physics community is adapting to COVID lockdowns |
| 2020-Dec-23 • 62 minutes The best of physics in books, TV and film in 2020 Looking back at some of the year’s most memorable books and media |
| 2020-Nov-23 • 49 minutes Physics and LEGO: an enduring love affair In addition to the fun, LEGO can be an effective teaching tool |
| 2020-Oct-14 • 29 minutes How capable are today’s quantum computers? Exploring what the first quantum computers might achieve, plus a preview of Quantum 2020 |
| 2020-Sep-23 • 49 minutes Could there really be life in the clouds of Venus? Exploring the story behind the detection of phosphene in the Venusian atmosphere |
| 2020-Aug-26 • 43 minutes Autonomous cars: potential lifesavers but with new risks Exploring the consequences of removing humans from the driving seat |
| 2020-Jul-17 • 42 minutes Planet Nine: is it a planet, a primordial black hole, or something else entirely? Fleets of tiny probes might discover what’s lurking at the edge of our solar system |
| 2020-Jun-30 • 41 minutes Working in medical physics: not your average career Exploring the variety of careers at the Christie Hospital |
| 2020-May-27 • 34 minutes The mystery of missing marine plastic Oceanographers are not sure where all the plastics are ending up in the world’s oceans |
| 2020-Apr-28 • 43 minutes Doing physics in the time of COVID-19 How the pandemic is affecting the present and how it might permanently change the way physics is done |
| 2020-Mar-31 • 56 minutes Tips for a rewarding career in physics Taking a closer look at the reality of life as a researcher |
| 2020-Mar-06 • 50 minutes The acoustics of music and theatre venues Find out why Bristol’s Old Vic and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall sound so great |
| 2019-Dec-18 • 53 minutes Book of the year 2019 Physics World’s book of the year revealed and the runners up discussed – listen to the December episode of the Physics World Stories podcast |
| 2019-Nov-28 • 36 minutes Physics and film, a match made in Hollywood Looking behind the scenes of Interstellar, Contact and The Martian |
| 2019-Oct-28 • 40 minutes Doing physics in microgravity environments The opportunities of doing physics experiments on the ISS and other microgravity facilities |
| 2019-Sep-30 • 41 minutes Driving in the present Exploring the technology and economics of electric cars |
| 2019-Aug-16 • 49 minutes Physics and the climate crisis How can scientists reduce the climate impact of their labs without compromising on the quality of their research? Andrew Glester investigates |
| 2019-Jul-24 • 30 minutes 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 – returning to the Moon and going beyond The Physics World Stories podcast explore what’s next for manned and robotic space travel |
| 2019-Jun-26 • 53 minutes 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 – hidden stories The Physics World Stories podcast investigates some of the lesser known stories from the Apollo era |
| 2019-May-22 • 36 minutes The story behind the first ever black hole image Physics World Stories explores this feat of science and engineering and the EHT’s prospects for further breakthroughs |
| 2019-Apr-23 • 39 minutes The future of the Internet Emerging technologies shaping our connected world |
| 2019-Mar-12 • 60 minutes Physics World 30th anniversary podcast series – 30 years of the World Wide Web Fifth episode in mini-series revisits the birth of the Web and the challenges it now faces |
| 2019-Feb-27 • 31 minutes Physics World 30th anniversary podcast series – high-temperature superconductivity Fourth episode in mini-series tracks the hype, frustration and renewed hope for this field |
| 2019-Jan-22 • 49 minutes Physics World 30th anniversary podcast series – fusion energy Third episode in mini-series explores the prospects for fusion as a viable energy source |
| 2018-Dec-17 • 65 minutes Physics World Book of the Year 2018 Tune in to the December Physics World Stories podcast to hear from the winner of our 2018 Book of the Year award, as well as catch up with previous winners |
| 2018-Nov-28 • 68 minutes Physics World 30th anniversary podcast series – gravitational waves Second episode in mini-series explores the future of astronomy |
| 2018-Oct-23 • 43 minutes Physics World 30th anniversary podcast series – particle physics First episode in mini-series explores the future of particle physics |
| 2018-Sep-18 • 50 minutes Communicating science at music festivals Talks, plays, poetry and many more innovative approaches |
| 2018-Aug-17 • 29 minutes Driving in the future How we might wean ourselves off high-carbon transport |
| 2018-Jul-24 • 45 minutes A quantum leap for industry Exploring the emerging technologies based on quantum physics |
| 2018-Jun-18 • 35 minutes Doing business in space Asteroid mining, Brexit impacts and the UK’s first spaceport |
| 2018-May-21 Learning from the ozone solution Nobel laureate Mario Molina and Lorraine Whitmarsh discuss climate politics |
| 2018-Apr-18 • 16 minutes Plant-inspired innovations From tackling oil spills with lotus leaves to mangrove-inspired coastal defences |
| 2018-Mar-21 • 30 minutes Artificial intelligence: is there anything to fear? Polymath Nathan Myhrvold on why he disagreed with his friend Stephen Hawking |
| 2018-Mar-15 • 33 minutes Falcon Heavy and Humanity Star: trailblazers or space junk? Recent private space launches have provoked public awe but also a few dissenting voices |
| 2018-Jan-23 • 29 minutes Physics in 2018 Physics World journalists discuss what excites them about the year ahead |
| 2017-Dec-13 • 36 minutes Book of the Year 2017 Physics World book experts Matin Durrani and Tushna Commissariat discuss the themes and trends that surround some of the best popular-physics books of 2017, before announcing the winner of our annual book award |
| 2017-Nov-09 • 38 minutes Exploring the cosmos with gravitational waves Recent discoveries usher in a new era of multimessenger astronomy |
| 2017-Oct-10 • 31 minutes Illuminating a radio icon How the historic Lovell telescope was transformed into a multimedia art installation |
| 2017-Sep-21 • 45 minutes How science gets women wrong Exploring the gender issues raised in Angela Saini’s book Inferior |
| 2017-Aug-30 • 35 minutes Science-themed comedy: are you having a laugh? Performers describe the opportunities and challenges of making science funny |
| 2017-Jul-17 • 28 minutes Music and science: a harmonious or discordant duo? The fascinating things, and the limits, of what science can tell us about music |
| 2017-Jun-15 • 31 minutes How politicians misuse and mangle science Exploring the issues behind Dave Levitan’s timely new book Not a Scientist |
| 2017-May-11 • 27 minutes Bees and their magnetic superpower How bees use internal compasses to find their way |
| 2017-Apr-06 • 30 minutes Exploring the worlds of TRAPPIST-1 What we know so far about the recently discovered Earth-like planets |
| 2017-Mar-07 • 25 minutes Tracking neutrinos in virtual reality VR app lets you explore the inner workings of the MicroBooNE neutrino detector |
| 2017-Feb-09 • 30 minutes Nuclear diamonds: the ultimate long-life battery? Potential power supply for deep-space missions |
| 2016-Dec-14 • 25 minutes Book of the Year 2016 Physics World book experts Tushna Commissariat and Margaret Harris discuss a few of the best popular-physics books of 2016 and announce the winner of the magazine’s annual book award |
| 2016-Nov-24 • 21 minutes Doing physics by ear Hear what it's like to do particle physics without sight |
| 2016-Oct-25 • 8 minutes Recipe for success with topological materials Hamish Johnston visits Beijing on a hunt for the elusive Weyl fermions |
| 2016-Sep-23 • 19 minutes Still not even wrong Ten years after his infamous anti-string-theory book, Peter Woit thinks the subject is more tangled than ever |
| 2016-Aug-23 • 13 minutes The monk and the multiverse A journey into the remarkable mind of the 13th-century monk, scholar and proto-cosmologist Robert Grosseteste |
| 2016-Jul-22 • 22 minutes Bringing Native American voices back to life Recordings of songs and speech restored using technology from particle physics |
| 2016-Jun-28 • 16 minutes Out of this world cuisine g-ASTRONOMY merges cosmology with fine dining |
| 2016-May-25 • 11 minutes Art McDonald explains why neutrinos continue to amaze physicists First detected 60 years ago, neutrinos provide a window to physics beyond the Standard Model |
| 2016-Apr-20 • 28 minutes Physics for all – building a more inclusive discipline Feedback and reaction to the March 2016 issue of the magazine on diversity in physics |
| 2016-Mar-30 • 11 minutes How to succeed at networking in science Make the most of your next conference with these tips from networking experts |
| 2016-Feb-23 • 20 minutes Mary, Queen of Scottish banknotes The life and legacy of Mary Somerville, who will appear on the new RBS £10 |
| 2016-Jan-27 • 19 minutes Rocking the status quo in science The working lives of scientists and musicians are more similar than you might think |
| 2015-Dec-15 • 28 minutes Book of the Year 2015 Physics World editor Matin Durrani and reviews editor Margaret Harris discuss some of the year's best popular-physics books and select a winner from a strong shortlist |
| 2015-Nov-17 • 16 minutes Is there life on Mars? Lewis Dartnell discusses the search for life on Mars and what forms it might take |
| 2015-Oct-21 • 14 minutes The rise of neutron scattering Michael Banks visits the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source to find out how the lab is looking to attract more users from industry |
| 2015-Sep-22 • 11 minutes Why information grows César Hidalgo explains why information can help us to understand economics |