Physics World Weekly Podcast

Join Alex Peroff and Neil Spinner from Pine Research Instrumentation as they delve into the art of social media for physics-related businesses. With a rich history in electrochemistry, they share how small companies can utilize platforms like webinars and live chats to connect and engage with global audiences. Discover their strategies for simplifying complex scientific concepts and the importance of consistency in content. Tune in for insights that can elevate your marketing game and enhance customer interaction in the scientific realm!

In this engaging discussion, medical physicists Rob Chuter from the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Kari Tanderup from Aarhus University delve into the critical intersection of healthcare and environmental sustainability. They explore the significant carbon footprint of healthcare, particularly from radiotherapy and medical equipment. The conversation highlights the NHS's ambitious net zero goals, sustainable conference travel solutions, and the urgent need for proactive strategies against climate change's challenges to patient care. It's a hopeful look at the medical physics community's path toward sustainability.

Antonia Seymour, chief executive of IOP Publishing and a champion for not-for-profit scientific publishing, discusses the newly formed Purpose-Led Publishing coalition. She emphasizes the importance of ethics in academic publishing, advocating for research integrity and reinvestment into science. The conversation reveals how these not-for-profit entities aim to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in the scientific community. Additionally, listen in as Corragh-May White explores innovative podcasting techniques to effectively communicate scientific ideas and engage listeners.

Tannie Liverpool, a theoretical physics professor at the University of Bristol, dives into the world of statistical physics and its application to biology. He discusses how statistical principles can illuminate complex behaviors within cells and tissues, including the mathematics behind wound healing. Liverpool highlights collaborative efforts between physicists and biologists, emphasizing the potential of statistical physics to inspire innovations in materials science through biomimicry. The conversation reveals the interconnectedness of disciplines and the future potential for groundbreaking discoveries.

Frederic Bertley, President of COSI, discusses boosting scientific literacy & diversity in STEM through science centers. He explains physics in baseball & hockey, promotes the Color of Science initiative for diversity, and shares COSI's engagement for the upcoming solar eclipse.

Physicist specializing in superfluid helium II discusses its unique quantum properties, applications in big physics experiments like the LHC. Topics include two fluid model, superfluid fountain, Shoot experiment transferring helium in space, Iris telescope project, cooling superconducting magnets, RF cavities using helium, challenges related to helium scarcity, and advancements in cryogenics.

Alejandro Gaita, a theoretical physicist specializing in computer modeling, and Gerliz Gutiérrez, an expert on computing's environmental impact, discuss the urgent need for sustainable practices in physics research. They highlight how intensive simulations can emit as much CO2 as long-haul flights. The duo advocates for a frugal approach to computational modeling, citing practical examples to showcase how more efficient methods can yield significant scientific results while minimizing energy consumption. Their insights challenge the academic community to prioritize greener computing practices.

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features a wide ranging interview with Keith Burnett, who is president of the Institute of Physics (IOP). The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. It represents 21,000 members and a key goal of the institute is to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds. Burnett, who is halfway through his two-year term in office, was knighted in 2013 for his services to science and higher education. He has served as vice chancellor of the University of Sheffield and is also an advocate for high-quality vocational education and technician training. He talks to Physics World’s Matin Durrani about the challenges facing universities; physicists as entrepreneurs; supporting early-career physicists; and the need for the IOP to continue its drive to boost the diversity of the physics community. The Institute of Physics owns IOP Publishing, which brings you Physics World Image courtesy of Hannah Veale

Radhika Khosla, an urban climatologist at the University of Oxford, sheds light on how climate change is reshaping urban living. She emphasizes extreme heat as a deadly consequence and advocates for innovative cooling technologies that cut greenhouse gas emissions. Khosla discusses India’s rapid urbanization as a foundation for developing sustainable policies that enhance quality of life. As the new editor-in-chief of Environmental Research Letters, she shares her vision for interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

Bibb Allen, Chief Medical Officer for the American College of Radiology Data Science Institute and expert diagnostic radiologist, sheds light on the promising yet complex role of AI in radiology. He discusses a vital joint statement from five radiology societies advocating for a critical assessment of AI tools in clinical settings. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of AI for enhancing diagnostic accuracy while acknowledging the risks of ineffective tools. Additionally, insights on the UK’s initiatives to cultivate a skilled quantum workforce showcase the intersection of technology and education.