Measure for Measure |
Featured
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Comment |
A call for responsible quantum technology
The time has come to consider appropriate guardrails to ensure quantum technology benefits humanity and the planet. With quantum development still in flux, the science community shares a responsibility in defining principles and practices.
- Urs Gasser
- , Eline De Jong
- & Mauritz Kop
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Editorial |
Unlock the potential of a physics education
This month in Nature Physics, we publish a Focus issue that highlights the importance of physics education research.
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Measure for Measure |
The air temperature conundrum
Measuring air temperature is far from a trivial task, as Andrea Merlone, Graziano Coppa and Chiara Musacchio explain.
- Andrea Merlone
- , Graziano Coppa
- & Chiara Musacchio
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Measure for Measure |
We can see clearly now
Adaptive optics allows scientists to correct for distortions of an image caused by the scattering of light. Anita Chandran illuminates the nature of the technique.
- Anita Mary Chandran
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Measure for Measure |
Squeeze it tight
Quantum technologies change our notion of measurement. Chenyu Wang elaborates on how quantum squeezing enhances the precision of gravitational-wave interferometers.
- Chenyu Wang
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Editorial |
Lost and found in translation
Many advances in biological physics result from multidisciplinary collaborations. We celebrate the physics of life with a collection of articles that offer insight into successful interactions between researchers from different fields.
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Measure for Measure |
A grey area
The hectare has a long association with the metric system, but its most recent status has created some ambiguity as to its future application. Richard Brown surveys the lay of the land.
- Richard J. C. Brown
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Measure for Measure |
No σ on σ
Although its measurement was considered an experimental nightmare for decades, the Stefan–Boltzmann constant was assigned an exact value in 2019. Massimiliano Malgieri and Pasquale Onorato explain what this story teaches us.
- Massimiliano Malgieri
- & Pasquale Onorato
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Editorial |
Levity and gravity
The Ig Nobel Prize celebrates research that makes us first laugh and then think. We look at some of this year’s not so ignoble highlights.
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Measure for Measure |
A difference of consequence
Metrology and meteorology: just two letters separating two similar and frequently confused words. Andrea Merlone, Chiara Musacchio and Walter Bich tell us about these different disciplines and ways in which they collaborate.
- Andrea Merlone
- , Chiara Musacchio
- & Walter Bich
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Comment |
Unfounded concerns about photovoltaic module toxicity and waste are slowing decarbonization
Unsubstantiated claims that fuel growing public concern over the toxicity of photovoltaic modules and their waste are slowing their deployment. Clarifying these issues will help to facilitate the decarbonization that our world depends on.
- Heather Mirletz
- , Henry Hieslmair
- & Teresa M. Barnes
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Editorial |
Party like it’s LK-99
Claims of a room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor recently kicked up a storm on social media. As the dust settles, we take stock of what this experience can teach us.
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Editorial |
To boldly go where their parents did not go before
First-generation students have to overcome obstacles other students don’t. Every academic can help.
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Measure for Measure |
From cornering to saving lives
Originally invented to improve cornering techniques in race driving, speed traps contribute to road safety. Robert Wynands introduces us to tools of traffic metrology.
- Robert Wynands
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Measure for Measure |
Radionuclide activities
Radionuclides have a myriad of applications, ranging from nuclear energy to environmental studies. Carine Michotte illustrates the importance of radionuclide metrology for nuclear medicine.
- Carine Michotte
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World View |
Space exploration is a team sport, not the preserve of a few powerful men
The lone genius narrative is harmful to science and will not help humans settle in space.
- Erika Nesvold
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Measure for Measure |
One for all
The unit one is a necessary part of any system of units but debate concerning its proper treatment in science and technology continues. Richard Brown enumerates its uses.
- Richard J. C. Brown
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Editorial |
Strive towards sustainability
Exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and the recent energy crisis, concentrated efforts towards more sustainable research have become matters of urgency, in particular for large-scale accelerator complexes and light sources.
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Measure for Measure |
Dijon’s Mr Darcy
Not to be confused with Jane Austen’s famous character, the unit darcy goes back to a French engineer, as Stefanie Reichert explains.
- Stefanie Reichert
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Harmony beyond differences
Despite their differences, the six regional metrology organizations work together to provide and advance the global equivalence of national measurements standards, as Hyun Min Park explains.
- Hyun Min Park
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Editorial |
A FAIR share
As sharing of research data becomes more important, we are facilitating this by integrating the Figshare repository into our submission system.
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Measure for Measure |
Note the knot
The nautical mile and knot were acknowledged by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Bart Verberck wonders why this is not the case anymore.
- Bart Verberck
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Editorial |
A woman’s place is in science
11 February marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. We ask what it takes to be considered one.
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Measure for Measure |
The standard of standard-setting
Standards recommended by the International Organization for Standardization are often hidden in plain sight. Angelique Botha, Chair of ISO/TC 334 for Reference Materials, tells us where to look.
- Angelique Botha
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Measure for Measure |
Not just big numbers
The SI prefixes provide an essential mechanism for the effective communication of scientific information. Richard Brown and Martin Milton inform us about the latest developments.
- Richard J. C. Brown
- & Martin J. T. Milton
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Measure for Measure |
The power of the watt
The use of quantum effects and digital technologies is changing the measurement of electrical power and energy, as explained by Héctor Laiz.
- Héctor Laiz
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Editorial |
Just citations
A new study that reveals under-citation of women physicists invites individual and journal-level action to tackle discrimination.
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Editorial |
Societies united
Physics societies have a long and illustrious history. Now, a world-wide union of societies celebrates its 100th birthday with a centennial conference.
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Measure for Measure |
How to choose a qubit
The vast majority of devices for processing quantum information — from communication to computation and sensing — operate with quantum bits. Federico Levi tells us what makes a good qubit.
- Federico Levi
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The nature of resistance
Although the ohm is ‘only’ a derived SI unit, the assumption that it plays an unobtrusive role could not be further from the truth, as Karin Cedergren reveals.
- Karin Cedergren
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The metrology behind trade
The impact of legal metrology often remains unnoticed in our everyday lives. Pavel Klenovsky, Marc Wouters and Wilfried de Waal instruct us in trade and legal regulations.
- Pavel Klenovsky
- , Marc Wouters
- & Wilfried de Waal