Physics World Weekly Podcast

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features Scott Bolton, who is principal investigator on NASA’s Juno mission to Jupiter. Launched in 2011, the mission has delivered important insights into the nature of the gas-giant planet. In this conversation with Physics World’s Margaret Harris, Bolton explains how Juno continues to change our understanding of Jupiter and other gas giants. Bolton and Harris chat about the mission’s JunoCam, which has produced some gorgeous images of Jupiter and it moons. Although the Juno mission was expected to last only a few years, the spacecraft is still going strong despite operating in Jupiter’s intense radiation belts. Bolton explains how the Juno team has rejuvenated radiation-damaged components, which has provided important insights for those designing future missions to space. However Juno’s future is uncertain. Despite its great success, the mission is currently scheduled to end at the end of September, which is something that Bolton also addresses in the conversation.

Can artificial intelligence predict future research directions in quantum science? Listen to this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast to discover what is already possible. My guests are Mario Krenn – who heads the Artificial Scientist Lab at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light – and Felix Frohnert, who is doing a PhD on the intersection of quantum physics and machine learning at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Frohnert, Krenn and colleagues published a paper earlier this year called “Discovering emergent connections in quantum physics research via dynamic word embeddings” in which they analysed more than 66,000 abstracts from the quantum-research literature to see if they could predict future trends in the field. They were particularly interested in the emergence of connections between previously isolated subfields of quantum science. We chat about what motivated the duo to use machine learning to study quantum science; how their prediction system works; and I ask them whether they have been able to predict current trends in quantum science using historical data. Their paper appears in the journal Machine Learning Science and Technology. It is published by IOP Publishing – which also brings you Physics World.  Krenn is on the editorial board of the journal and in the podcast he explains why it is important to have a platform to publish research at the intersection of physics and machine learning. This article forms part of Physics World‘s contribution to the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), which aims to raise global awareness of quantum physics and its applications. Stayed tuned to Physics World and our international partners throughout the next 12 months for more coverage of the IYQ. Find out more on our quantum channel.  

My guest in this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast is the journalist Jason Palmer, who co-hosts “The Intelligence” podcast at The Economist. Palmer did a PhD in chemical physics at Imperial College London before turning his hand to science writing with stints at the BBC and New Scientist. He explains how he made the transition from the laboratory to the newsroom and offers tips for scientists planning to make the same career journey. We also chat about how artificial intelligence is changing how journalists work.

This episode features a wide-ranging interview with the astrochemist Ewine van Dishoeck, who is professor emeritus of molecular astrophysics at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. In 2018 she was awarded The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics and in this podcast she talks about her passion for astrochemistry and how her research combines astronomy, astrophysics, theoretical chemistry and laboratory experiments. Van Dishoeck talks about some of the key unanswered questions in astrochemistry, including how complex molecules form on the tiny specks of dust in interstellar space. We chat about the recent growth in our understanding of exoplanets and protoplanetary discs and the prospect of observing signs of life on distant planets or moons. The Atacama Large Millimetre Array radio telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope are two of the major facilities that Van Dishoeck has been involved with. She talks about the challenges of getting the astronomy community to agree on the parameters of a new observatory and explains the how collaborative nature of these projects ensures that instruments meet the needs of multiple research communities. Van Dishoeck looks to the future of astrochemistry and what new observatories could bring to the field. The interview ends with a call for the next generation of scientists to pursue careers in astrochemistry. This podcast is sponsored by The Kavli Prize. The Kavli Prize honours scientists for basic research breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience – transforming our understanding of the big, the small and the complex. One million dollars is awarded in each of the three fields.  The Kavli Prize is a partnership among The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, and The Kavli Foundation (USA). The vision for The Kavli Prize comes from Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who turned his lifelong fascination with science into a lasting legacy for recognizing scientific breakthroughs and for supporting basic research. The Kavli Prize follows a two-year cycle, with an open call for nominations between 1 July and 1 October in odd-numbered years, and an announcement and award ceremony during even-numbered years. The next Kavli Prize will be announced in June 2026. Visit kavliprize.org for more information.

David Awschalom, director of Q-NEXT, and Preeti Chalsani, chief quantum officer at Intersect Illinois, discuss Illinois' position as a rising quantum technology hub. They highlight the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, which aims to foster innovation and job growth. Awschalom explains the collaboration among academia, industry, and national labs, emphasizing ongoing projects and their potential economic impact. They also delve into advancements like using silicon carbide for qubits, showcasing how local efforts are shaping the future of quantum science.

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features an interview with Kirsty McGhee, who is a scientific writer at the quantum-software company Qruise. It is the second episode in our two-part miniseries on careers for physicists. While she was doing a PhD in condensed matter physics, McGhee joined Physics World’s Student Contributors Network. This involved writing articles about peer-reviewed research and also proof reading articles written by other contributors. McGhee explains how the network broadened her knowledge of physics and improved her communication skills. She also says that potential employers looked favourably on her writing experience. At Qruise, McGhee has a range of responsibilities that include writing documentation, marketing, website design, and attending conference exhibitions. She explains how her background in physics prepared her for these tasks, and what new skills she is learning. The first episode of this miniseries looks at what physicists can look forward to in retirement: “Third age careers for physicists: writing and the arts beckon“

Many of us will have careers with three distinct eras: education, work and retirement. While the first two tend to be regimented, the third age offers the possibility of pursuing a wide range of interests. Our guest in this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast is the retired particle physicist Michael Albrow, who is scientist emeritus at Fermilab in the US. He has just published his book Space Times Matter: One Hundred Short Stories About The Universe, which is a collection of brief essays and poems related to science. Much of the book comes from a newspaper column that Albrow wrote earlier in his retirement and he has also been involved in collaborations with visual and musical artists. In this podcast he talks about this third age of his career as a physicist and gives some tips for your retirement.

Ada Altieri, an associate professor specializing in theoretical ecology, and Silvia De Monte, a senior research scientist with expertise in evolutionary biology, dive into the intersection of physics and ecology. They discuss how statistical physics models can illuminate complex ecosystems, from predator-prey interactions to the intricate world of the human gut microbiome. The duo explores the challenges and potential of modeling these systems, highlighting their relevance in addressing gut disorders and predicting ecological tipping points.

Travis Humble, the Director of the Quantum Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, shares insights on pioneering quantum materials and technologies. He discusses the significance of collaborations among national labs, universities, and industries. Humble highlights advancements in quantum sensing and communication, including efforts towards a quantum internet. Key topics also include the integration of quantum computing with supercomputing to enhance scientific simulations. The future looks bright as Oak Ridge continues to drive innovation through its multidisciplinary approach.

Sara Alderweireldt, a physicist at CERN and expert in supersymmetry, dives into the fascinating world of the ATLAS experiment. She discusses how physicists analyze vast data from high-energy collisions to uncover new physics theories. The conversation covers the critical upgrades to the LHC, set for completion in 2030, and the collaborative challenges faced in long-term research. Alderweireldt also highlights the elusive concept of missing energy, a key clue in the hunt for undiscovered particles like dark matter.