News
Bo Zhen Named Jin K. Lee Presidential Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Bo Zhen, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, has been named Jin K. Lee Presidential Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Zhen’s research focuses on the study of electromagnetic waves, such as light, in engineered environment. His group investigates exotic phenomena in condensed matter physics and quantum electrodynamics while pursuing practical applications in areas like infrared light detection, quantum control and readout, and quantum sensing.
Recent Scientific Developments on Cosmology and Particle Physics
A collaborative workshop bringing together participants from nearby universities to advance research in cosmology and particle physics.
Space-Time: The Biggest Problem in Physics
As part of a series that seeks to unpack fundamental mysteries in theoretical physics, Quanta Magazine met with Vijay Balasubramanian of the School of Arts & Sciences to discuss science’s biggest problem: space-time. Balasubramanian says that at the smallest conceivable scales, “the laws of nature break down. The stage of our universe, space-time, seems to dissolve, and we can’t make sense of the awful chaos underneath.
Congratulations to Andrea Liu - 2025 Leo P. Kadanoff Prize
Great news!
Andrea Liu has been awarded the 2025 Leo P. Kadanoff Prize by the American Physical Society! The Kadanoff Prize recognizes scientists whose theoretical, experimental, or computational achievements have opened new vistas for statistical and/or nonlinear physics.
An idea rooted in ‘twistronics’ yields an electrifying, ‘dizzying’ outcome
Researchers led by Ritesh Agarwal of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Gene Mele of the School of Arts & Sciences uncovered how twisting multiple layers of a material can generate a mysterious sideways deflection of moving electrons—analogous to the Coriolis effect seen in ocean currents—unlocking new possibilities for controlling light and electrons in quantum materials.
The new mini moon
On Sunday, Sept. 29, Earth welcomed 2024 PT5, a “mini-moon” temporarily captured by the planet’s orbit that’s set to depart on Monday, Nov. 25. Astronomers Bhuvnesh Jain and Gary Bernstein of the School of Arts & Sciences discuss Earth’s new visitor, 2024 PT5. Read more here
Emeritus Professor Tom Lubensky awarded Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Prize of The International Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS)
Emeritus Professor Tom Lubensky, was recently awarded the Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Prize of The International Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS). This award is the highest-ranking prize of ILCS and is awarded biannually.
Congratulations - Professor Dylan Rankin
Great news! Professor Dylan Rankin has won the US Department of Energy Early Career Award. The award is for his research proposal to Search for New Physics with Real-time Anomaly Detection! The DOE announcement can be found using the link below:
Congratulations - Professor Joe Kroll
Great news - Please join us in congratulating Professor Joe Kroll, who has been named Robert I. Williams Endowed Term Professor of Physics and Astronomy. The term chair was awarded by the university in recognition of Professor Kroll's exceptional scholarship and leadership in experimental particle physics, as well as his outstanding teaching
Novel coupled nanopore platform offers greater precision for detecting molecules
Marija Drndić of the School of Arts & Sciences and Dimitri Monos of the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia led a team of researchers who have developed a novel kind of nanotechnology that allows for more precise detection and control of molecules like DNA. The platform signals a new era in the field of synthetic biology and could pave the way for enhanced DNA sequencing and protein identification.