NUS Physics Channel

Two teams of undergraduates from NUS Physics have the privilege of participating in PLANCKS 2025, an international physics competition for bachelor’s and master’s students. Each year, the event combines a challenging physics contest with a three- or four-day programme filled with social and scientific activities. PLANCKS offers a platform for students all over the world to compete, connect and share their passion for physics. Participants also have the opportunity to explore the host country’s research environment and culture. Full funding for registration and air fare are available to support students. We congratulate the teams who have won the 8th and 11th places out of 46 places! Read here for more: https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/plancks-2025/

In an attempt to bridge the classical and quantum worlds, scientists applied laser cooling techniques originally developed for atoms to a centimeter-scale torsional oscillator in order to test whether gravity is quantum or not. The work is just beginning and further strengthening of the optical interaction is needed to reach the actual quantum ground state. Read here for more: https://phys.org/news/2025-05-gravity-quantum-laser-cooling-torsional.html

The magical charm of the triangle instrument is undeniable. Each strike on the bent metal bar produces  shimmering and clear bell-like tone carried by ripples of powerful sound waves that instantaneously lighten up the atmosphere. Though small and simple, its sound is distinct, with multiple overtones and nonharmonic resonance. Find out what scientists have discovered about the physics behind this intriguing sound: https://phys.org/news/2025-05-musical-triangle-sweet.html

A research carried out recently explored the contrast between classical and quantum mechanics theories of light interference like in the double-slit experiment. Through the lens of quantum optics, the field of study exploring interactions between light and matter at a quantum level, a new theory involving photon states was proposed. Read here for more: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-quantum-optics-theory-classical-bright.html

Over 40 prospective students and faculty were present at Physics Engagement Day 2025 held on 26 April. Engagement Day was an initiative launched by the Faculty of Science, NUS, to engage prospective students already offered an admission. The programme line-up included talks by faculty, research lab tour, conversations over dinner and star gazing at the rooftop. NUS Physics hopes that our young enthusiastic participants, having learned about the curriculum, research opportunities and career openings for physics graduates, will choose physics as their choice of study.

Using a pioneering instrument known as the Quantum Twisting Microscope (QTM) and working at cryogenic temperatures, scientists have observed—for the first time—the interactions between electrons and an exotic atomic vibration in twisted sheets of graphene, called a phason. With these new findings, QTM is poised to become a transformative instrument for quantum materials research. Read here for more: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-microscope-reveals-quantum-atoms-graphene.html

Can leveraging physics help to improve the chance of scoring that winning goal? Find out why premier league clubs are recruiting physicists to up their game: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6266432/2025/04/15/liverpool-physicist-analyst-data/

Scientists discovered some stars exhibit fluctuations in their brightness over time, which are caused by continuous "starquakes". This research published in Nature sheds light on how stars evolve and provides a new tool to estimate their age, which is crucial for studying the evolution of our galaxy. Co-author of research paper Marc Hon will be joining NUS Physics in coming July. For more on the research, read here: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-melodies-musical-starquakes-galaxy.html

Just last month, the European Space Agency’s Euclid mission released its first batch of survey data, including a preview of its deep fields. Covering a huge area of the sky in three mosaics, the rich dataset reveals numerous galaxy clusters, active galactic nuclei and transient phenomena. AI algorithms, together with thousands of human citizen science volunteers and experts, play a critical role in searching for, analysing and cataloguing galaxies. For more, read here: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/Euclid_opens_data_treasure_trove_offers_glimpse_of_deep_fields

Research team comprising Prof Ariando (middle), Dr Stephen Lin Er Chow (right) and Luo Zhaoyang (left) (Photo credit: NUS Faculty of Science) A research team comprising Professor Ariando, Dr Stephen Lin Er Chow and PhD student  Luo Zhaoyang from NUS Physics has developed a  groundbreaking new material—a copper-free superconducting oxide—capable of superconducting under atmospheric pressure. This discovery demonstrates that unconventional high-temperature superconductivity could be a more widespread property among elements in the periodic table. According to Prof Ariando, this observation has profound implications for both theoretical understanding and experimental realisation of a broader scope of superconducting materials with practical applications in modern electronics. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-physicists-copper-free-high-temperature-superconducting-oxide/

What causes the sound of clapping? Recent research identifies the mechanism known as a Helmholtz resonator—an enclosed cavity of air like the inside of a glass bottle, or the space between clapping hands—with an opening connected to the cavity by a neck. A round of applause indeed should go to the scientists making the discovery 👏. Find out more here: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sound-clapping-physics-explained

Figure (left) shows the topotactic reduction process via oxygen atom removal using calcium-hydrate for achieving superconductivity. (Right) Ion mass spectrometry measurements of thin film nickelates for detecting hydrogen after the topotactic reduction process. (Credit: Nature Communications) A research team led by Professor Ariando from NUS Physics, together with various international collaborators, has conclusively demonstrated that there is an insignificant presence of hydrogen in the pure superconducting nickel oxide samples they have synthesized. This contradicted previous findings which suggested a correlation between hydrogen and superconductivity. Read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/03/nickel-based-superconductors-are-distinct-from-conventional-hydrogen-based-superconductors/

Professors, research fellows and PhD students @ NUS Physics took their research to the next level with ground-breaking works from bosonic superconducting systems, deep thermalization in quantum systems to upconversion electroluminescence in 2D semiconductors. Read more about the Physics Breakthroughs of the Year 2024 here: https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/physics-breakthroughs/

Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS President, and Prof Reinhold R Geilsdörfer, CEO of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, at the signing ceremony together with Prof Alexander Ling (left) from CQT and Prof Peter Frankenberg from the Foundation. A Professorship in Quantum Technologies has been established at the Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) after a letter of intent was signed between the Dieter Schwarz Foundation and the National University of Singapore. The professorship aims to propel research, education and innovation in quantum science and engineering at NUS. The gift will also support an exchange programme with the Technical University of Munich Campus Heilbronn and other universities in Germany, enabling cross-border interactions among undergraduate to postdoctoral research students. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/dieter-schwarz-foundation-professorship-technology-partnership-nus/

Professor Valerio Scarani (left) and PhD student Mr Lin Htoo Zaw flanking a spinning ‘wheel of fortune’ (Photo credit: Centre for Quantum Technologies) A research team led by Professor Valerio Scarani from NUS Physics, in collaboration with researchers from the University of New South Wales Sydney, has proven fundamentally that in certain special states, a spinning atomic nucleus does indeed exhibit quantum properties. It is remarkable that such a fundamental principle is validated after a century of the development of quantum mechanics with 2025 designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/fundamental-proof-of-quantum-mechanics

Driven by a vision to make advanced stroke treatment more accessible, Physics alumnus turned technopreneur Mr Joe Wu founded Qubot Technology, a company devoted to creating the next generation interventional robot using AI. Watch video or read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/02/the-next-frontier-in-interventional-surgeries/

Driven by a vision to make advanced stroke treatment more accessible, Physics and Mathematics alumnus turned technopreneur Mr Joe Wu founded Qubot Technology, a company devoted to creating the next generation interventional robot using AI. Watch video or read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/02/the-next-frontier-in-interventional-surgeries/

(From right) PhD student Nakarin Jayjong and Associate Professor Murray Barrett with their lutetium atomic clock. Lutetium's properties are suitable for a stable, ultra-precise clock. (Photo credit: Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT)) Scientists from NUS Physics are now part of the Singapore team joining the Global Network of Optical Magnetometers to search for Exotic physics (GNOME), an international scientific collaboration set to explore dark matter and other exotic astrophysical particles. It leverages world-class atomic clocks which are managed by Associate Professor Murray Barrett and his team at CQT, as well as advanced and cutting-edge technologies from local collaborators. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/nus-scientists-join-global-effort-to-unearth-dark-matter-and-exotic-particles/

Can a game of chess be understood as just algorithms beating out each other? Now physics has taken things one step further by treating chess playing as a complex system with matches even exhibiting a kind of ‘phase transition’. A handy metric known as the ‘fragility scores’ can help predict the proverbial ‘tipping points’ in chess matches. Read here for more: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/01/complexity-physics-finds-crucial-tipping-points-in-chess-games/

What is the secret to keeping the Hula Hoop aloft? Read about the physics of hula hooping, and yes, staying in shape always helps: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hula-hooping-robots-physics