How do atoms form? A physicist explains where the atoms that make up everything around come from

Almost everything on Earth is made up of atoms, but where do these fundamental building blocks come from?

Stephen L. Levy, Associate Professor of Physics and Applied Physics and Astronomy, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
June 23, 2025 ~8 min

Closing in on superconducting semiconductors

Plasma Science and Fusion Center researchers created a superconducting circuit that could one day replace semiconductor components in quantum and high-performance computing systems.

Julianna Mullen | Plasma Science and Fusion Center • mit
June 17, 2025 ~5 min


New facility to accelerate materials solutions for fusion energy

MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center to establish the Schmidt Laboratory for Materials in Nuclear Technologies.

Julianna Mullen | Plasma Science and Fusion Center • mit
June 9, 2025 ~8 min

Engineering students explore how to ethically design and locate nuclear facilities in this college course

Students explore nuclear facilities in virtual reality and learn about the ethical dimensions of nuclear technology in a University of Michigan course.

Katie Snyder, Lecturer III in Technical Communication, College of Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
March 25, 2025 ~6 min

Will neutrons compromise the operation of superconducting magnets in a fusion plant?

Tests suggest these powerful magnets will not suffer immediate loss of performance during irradiation.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
Feb. 28, 2025 ~5 min

Unlocking the secrets of fusion’s core with AI-enhanced simulations

Fusion’s future depends on decoding plasma’s mysteries. Simulations can help keep research on track and reveal more efficient ways to generate fusion energy.

Julianna Mullen | Plasma Science and Fusion Center • mit
Feb. 18, 2025 ~7 min

Cleaning up critical minerals and materials production, using microwave plasma

With technology developed at MIT, 6K is helping to bring critical materials production back to the U.S. without toxic byproducts.

Zach Winn | MIT News • mit
Feb. 7, 2025 ~8 min

AI could help overcome the hurdles to making nuclear fusion a practical energy source

The technology could help produce more resistant materials and allow scientists more control over fusion reactions.

Tan Sui, Associate Professor (Reader), University of Surrey • conversation
Jan. 29, 2025 ~8 min


Nuclear fusion could one day be a viable clean energy source – but big engineering challenges stand in the way

Even once researchers can reliably get more power out of a fusion reaction than they put in, they’ll still need to overcome engineering challenges to scale up fusion energy.

Farhat Beg, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Jan. 8, 2025 ~9 min

Brain implants, agentic AI and answers on dark matter: what to expect from science in 2025 – podcast

Three Conversation science editors look ahead to what to expect in 2025 on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Signe Dean, Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation • conversation
Jan. 2, 2025 ~5 min

/

15