Will Your Next Backpack Generate Clean Energy?

Welcome to Oxford University Physics. Where our researchers change the world, our understanding of it, and how we live in it.

Whether you’re taking your first quantum leap into the world of physics or you’re a physics alum, we keep you up to date with our latest ground-breaking research.

Latest news

Solar energy breakthrough could reduce need for solar farms

At Oxford University Physics, we're redefining the future of renewable energy.

Our scientists have developed a revolutionary approach which could generate increasing amounts of solar electricity without the need for silicon-based solar panels. Instead, the innovation works by coating a new power-generating material onto the surfaces of everyday objects like rucksacks, cars and mobile phones.

The new light-absorbing material is, for the first time, thin and flexible enough to apply to the surface of almost any building or common object. Our researchers are among 40 scientists working on photovoltaics led by Professor of Renewable Energy Henry Snaith.

Using a pioneering technique, which stacks multiple light-absorbing layers into one solar cell, they’re able to harness a wider range of the light spectrum, allowing more power to be generated from the same amount of sunlight.

Dive deeper. Read how CNN.com reported on this innovation here and in more detail on our site here

In case you missed it

AI-led forecasting protects communities hit by climate change

Dr Shruti Nath, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Oxford University Physics, spoke to BBC World News programme “AI Decoded” about her work in AI-informed weather prediction. Accurate weather prediction is essential but traditional forecasting models often fall short, leaving vulnerable communities at risk. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the group is bridging these critical gaps in traditional prediction forecasting models; their work is revolutionising early warning systems.

As part of a major initiative with the UN World Food Programme, this is initially being used to help communities in the hard-hit the East Africa region but potentially in many other parts of the world too. As UN World Food puts it, this helps to protect lives before they need saving.

Watch more on the AI initiative with UN World Food here and BBC World News with Dr Shruti Nath (at 14 minutes in).

First proof of black hole ‘plunging regions'

Einstein is proven right, again. Our researchers have seen material from a doomed star make its final descent into a black hole – a journey that was thought to exist but had never before been detected, until now.

Here’s how it was reported in MailOnline, Newsweek and The Times, among other media.

Continue reading here

Long-predicted quantum state confirmed

At our specialist Oxford University Physics laboratory facilities in the Beecroft Building, the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Group has made a significant discovery, identifying and visualising a new phase of matter in high-temperature superconductors.

Get the full story here

Pioneering lab-generated plasma ‘fireballs’

An international team of scientists, led by our researchers at Oxford University Physics, made a fascinating breakthrough when, for the first time, they produced plasma ‘fireballs’ on Earth. These are high-density, relativistic, electron-positron pair-plasma beams, containing two to three orders of magnitude more pairs than previously reported and open up a new frontier in laboratory astrophysics.

Explore further here

Breakthrough promises secure quantum computing at home

The full power of next-generation quantum computing could soon be harnessed by millions of individuals and companies thanks to a breakthrough by our scientists at Oxford University Physics, guaranteeing security and privacy.

Here’s now it was reported in Computer Weekly, and across other tech titles and explained to a general global audience in a BBC Sounds podcast “Unexpected Elements” here

Get more insight from Prof David Lucas here

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Want to shape the future of science and help young people with talent but less opportunity?

The Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS) offers enthusiastic school students the opportunity to systematically learn mathematics and physics at a deep level with free tuition and mentoring from existing university students and tutors. It is achieving great results, opening a future in science to many who otherwise may not have one.

As one student put it, “I went from grade 8 in GCSE physics to top of the class”.

Barely one in five posts for physics teachers are filled in UK state secondary schools, so many young people lack the support they need to fulfil their potential in science. Last year, 20% of all places went to socially disadvantaged and 30% to female students.

Demand for places is far ahead of our ability to provide them without additional support.

If you’re a potential tutor or a supporter of scientific education, you can help us continue offering this programme for free to UK students. Join us in nurturing young talent in mathematics and physics. Your support makes a difference.

Get involved today here