Physics World Weekly Podcast
Physics World
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 1, 2026 • 49min
Nobel predictions, national firsts and the remarkable story of CV Raman
We chat about the Nobel Prize in Physics in this podcast
Sep 24, 2026 • 32min
Pathways to commercial and academic success in medical physics
Nick Zacharopoulos, a medical physicist and CEO of Aktina Medical, grew up building radiotherapy equipment with his father. He shares his unexpected journey from aspiring architect to medical-physics innovator, leaving a PhD to develop breathing-synchronization technology, reviving a machine-vision prototype for LINAC quality assurance, and balancing commercial success with academic research and mentorship.
Sep 17, 2026 • 23min
Creating better batteries for electricity grids
Lynn Ma, an applied scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explores the race to build safer, longer-lasting grid batteries. She discusses why lithium iron phosphate currently leads, how charge rates shape battery life, and the safety challenges of massive storage facilities. She also considers sodium-ion alternatives, supply chains, low-temperature performance and AI tools for predicting battery failures.
Sep 10, 2026 • 22min
Porous material offers the benefits of graphene in 3D
Marco Caffio, the co-founder of iGii, is our podcast guest
Sep 3, 2026 • 58min
Finding careers in STEM and the weirdness of AI
Career consultant Alaina G Levine and AI researcher Janelle Shane are our podcast guests
Aug 27, 2026 • 41min
Gamma Knife radiosurgery brings precision treatment to benign brain conditions
This podcast features Katharine Hunt of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Aug 20, 2026 • 35min
The Quantum Kid: childhood curiosity makes physics more accessible
Our podcast guest makes science videos for young people
Aug 14, 2026 • 47min
Motivation is key to the public’s trust in science, study reveals
Shumaila Bhatti, a social scientist studying science communication and credibility, and Dara Wald, a social scientist focused on public perceptions and trust, discuss how people judge scientists. They explore credibility dimensions, audience types, experimental survey methods, skepticism about motives, demographic and political drivers, and practical communication strategies to signal integrity and intent.
Aug 6, 2026 • 35min
Building bridges between quantum and classical computing
Yonatan Cohen of Quantum Machines is our podcast guest
Jul 30, 2026 • 36min
How scholarly publishers are safeguarding trust in science
Antonia Seymour of IOP Publishing is our podcast guest
