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

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/

(Repost from NUS News) What if we could go beyond what the eye can see to uncover the craftsmanship behind treasured artefacts in a museum?

Bringing together scientists, conservators, curators and archaeologists from around the world, the “Inspiring Objects” session showcased how advanced analytical techniques—mostly powered by particle accelerators—are changing the way we understand and preserve art, history, and heritage. Held at the Peranakan Museum, the event was co-organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source at NUS. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/uncovering-hidden-stories-behind-cultural-treasures-though-advanced-technologies/

Second-year physics student Azann Qureshi, together with his team-mate, won the top prize at the London Business School CleanTech Challenge 2025 with his invention known as Thermal Floater. A flagship innovation of startup Incy Technologies, which Azann co-founded, Thermal Floater aims to tackle the problem of clean electricity supply in the domestic and industrial sectors. Azann designs and develops crucial proprietary components for the thermal floater and manages the theoretical research that goes into developing the “fundamental blueprint” of the device. The 2025 edition of the CleanTech Challenge received applications from 87 universities in 27 countries. Read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/06/a-clean-and-cool-solution-for-the-energy-challenge/

A lunch celebration was held recently in honour of A/Prof Johan R C Van Der Maarel’s retirement. In addition, a workshop titled “Pathways in Biophysics” was convened to mark A/Prof Johan’s scientific achievements and mentorship. The department is grateful for and deeply acknowledged A/Prof Johan’s many contributions and wishes him a happy and fulfilling retirement! Read here for more: https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/johan-rc-van-der-maarel-retirement/

A research team led by Professor Gong Jiangbin from NUS Physics has made a significant progress in quantum metrology, a field that harnesses quantum effects to make precise measurements. Their newly developed protocol leverages quantum resonance dynamics which enables an experimentally accessible and noise-resilient route to Heisenberg-limited measurement precision. It overcomes longstanding obstacles of state preparation and readout, paving the way for practical implementation in next-generation quantum sensing technologies. Read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/07/enhancing-quantum-metrology-by-quantum-resonance-dynamics/

(Repost from NUS News)
Singapore's nuclear safety research initiative has been established as a full-fledged institute, now known as the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute. Operating from a new purpose-built facility at NUS, the institute has been strengthened with a $66 million grant under the Research, Innovation & Enterprise plan for its next bound of research into nuclear safety. Read here for more: https://news.nus.edu.sg/singapore-nuclear-research-and-safety-initiative-established-as-full-fledged-research-institute/

A warm welcome to three faculty members who have just joined NUS Physics! Prof Lo Hoi Kwong (center in photo) also Provost's Chair specialises in quantum information science including quantum cryptography and quantum communication. Asst Prof Marc Hon (left, Presidential Young Professorship) focuses on time-domain astronomy, machine learning and asteroseismology. The research of Asst Prof Zhang Yang (Presidential Young Professorship) involves topological states, quantum transport, and light-matter interaction in topological/strongly correlated materials and their potential applications for future quantum technology.

Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, currently Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics at MIT, visited NUS Physics recently as part of the Distinguished Visitor Lecture Series. Professor Jarillo-Herrero’s research interests lie in the area of experimental condensed matter physics, in particular quantum electronic transport and optoelectronics in novel two-dimensional materials. Besides reviewing the discovery and physics of graphene as well as the principles and beauty of moiré materials, Prof Pablo also spoke passionately about some of the recent developments in the field of moiré quantum matter, including magic-angle twisted multilayer graphene. The Q&A session gave further opportunity for students to learn about the world of moiré quantum matter. Watch this video interview for more on the magic of graphene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcHbLfBQpMI

The celebratory mood, the joy of achievement, the acknowledgement of hard work—it’s graduation time yo! 17 July marked commencement for our physics graduates! Adorned in their academic regalia and marching on to receive their scrolls, this day bore witness to the fruits of their labour, sweat and tears. Well done and congratulations, Class of 2025! Read here for more: https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/class-of-2025

Some of the fondest memories in NUS Physics for graduate student Johanna Wolf are not necessarily associated with big achievements but with the quiet resilience of community—sitting in small study groups, struggling with course mates through a problem set or just celebrating the mutual "aha!" when a concept clicks. Preparing for further studies next, the thought of contributing to something that not only pushes the boundaries of science but also has the power to change lives truly excites her.

A profound lesson for graduate student Yeo Zhen Yuan came from developing resilience through intellectual humility. His "I don't know" when asked a fundamental question during his qualifying exam triggered a “Now you’re thinking like a scientist!" response that stuck with him. This mindset transformed setbacks into opportunities. Hypothesis failures and experimental dead-ends became data, each question sparked better ones, and every “I don’t know” opened new paths.

Read their academic journey by clicking on the links.

A welcome session for incoming freshmen was held by the NUS Physics Society this week. During the event, the freshmen were introduced to the organisation and functions of the NUS Physics Society as well as the various forms of support it provides for the physics student community. The students were also informed about EDIphy, an initiative dedicated to improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in physics within NUS and across the larger physics communities. The welcome session also marked the launch of the academic mentorship programme. Academic mentors were present to interact with the freshmen. NUS Physics hopes this event helps to communicate the support and resources available for freshmen as the new academic year begins.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been widely celebrated for its role as a celestial spy, and its recent detection of black holes devouring stars within dusty galaxies is another remarkable feat. By spotting delayed infrared emissions from tidal disruption events, JWST has enabled astrophysicists to study feasting black holes shrouded in dust. Read here for more: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/webb-telescope-jwst-black-hole-star

Scientists have discovered that wrinkles can be, er, an asset 😲. We are talking about electronics here. Most devices today use the charge of electrons flowing through silicon to process and encode information. However, computing with spin could overcome the limitations of current silicon-based technology. Bending atomically thin layers of materials like molybdenum ditelluride gives rise to a unique spin texture called persistent spin helix which can preserve a spin state even in scattering collisions. This discovery opens a promising path for ultra-compact, energy-efficient spintronic devices. Read here for more: https://phys.org/news/2025-08-wrinkles-atomically-thin-materials-ultraefficient.html

Illustratum—a showcase of creativity, resilience and the art of communication—provides a platform for school students to turn abstract scientific concepts into lively demonstrations, models, and storytelling. The heart of the contest lies in its emphasis on science communication, retelling complex physics in a way that could be easily understood. What began as a modest event in 2022 with just 55 teams from 15 schools has now blossomed into a celebration of science storytelling, with participation from 82 teams representing 25 schools this year. Read here for more: https://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/illustratum-2025/

Assistant Professor Alexey Berdyugin tuning the cryostat to explore electron mobility in graphene.

Research carried out by scientists from NUS and international collaborators achieved new records for electron mobility in graphene, matching or even surpassing gallium arsenide in both transport and quantum mobility. One study led by Assistant Professor Alexey Berdyugin from NUS Physics uses two graphene layers stacked with a large relative twist angle. Another led by Sir Professor Andre Geim from the University of Manchester placed graphene less than one nanometre away from a metallic graphite gate, separated by an ultrathin dielectric. Both approaches enabled quantum behaviour to be observed at ultra-low magnetic fields. Read here for more: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/blog/2025/08/graphene-reaches-ultimate-electronic-quality/

Photo taken by Mr Tan Jyh Harng from NUS Physics at 1.38 am, 8 Sept @ the Grand Lawn, West Coast Park using a Celestron C5 telescope

Moon lovers in Singapore were resolute about capturing the first total lunar eclipse in three years on 7 Sept even as cloudy conditions posed a challenge to them. Elsewhere across parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the Moon also made its appearance taking on a reddish hue, a phenomenon known as a blood moon. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth lines up between the Moon and the Sun, and the only light that reaches the Moon’s surface is from the edges of the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere scatters the shorter wavelengths of light like blue, leaving longer wavelengths like red to reach the Moon's surface. The Moon thus inherits a reddish glow. The next total lunar eclipse is expected to fall on 3 March 2026. For more pictures of the blood moon, click here: https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/in-pictures-blood-moon-lights-up-night-sky