How is physics research being used to change your life? We opened our doors as part of Oxford's science and ideas festival to showcase some of the ways research can become technology, and physics can move from the lab into your life.

The University of Oxford has marked the opening of the Beecroft Building, a new 8,950sqm building for experimental and theoretical physics.

World wide web pioneer Sir Tim Berners-Lee and donor Adrian Beecroft joined the Chancellor, Lord Patten of Barnes, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson, to officially open the new state-of-the-art facility located in Oxford University’s science area in Parks Road.

Nuclear quadrupole resonance sensor for safer wireless power

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is likely to be widely adopted throughout the automotive industry as it represents the most simple and effective charging solution for electric vehicles. A strong magnetic field, generated by a car and the ground can present certain safety risks, should a person or animal enter the field.

Our latest newsletter puts a spotlight on Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd, one of our successful spin-out companies that commercialise Oxford Physics research. The company was founded in 2016 by Professor Achilles Kapanidis and student Mr Bo Jing.
Physics Newsletter Spring 2018

A novel technology using spectroscopy to capture multiple two-dimensional spectral images from a single capture with higher light throughput. The 3D laser spectrometer design is built upon the concept from an emerging field of compressed sensing to make it possible to retrieve 3D spectral information from a screen/camera. In contrast to ordinary spectrometers, the 3D spectrometer uses a wide slit instead of a narrow slit, thus producing a higher throughput of the light and yield higher signal-to-noise ratio.

As online data moves faster, becomes more complex and contains highly sensitive information, advanced encryption methods are required to protect against data breaches. Random number generation (RNG) is used in encryption within a multitude of applications, including e-commerce and high frequency trading.

We are now seeking industrial partners with problems to solve for the academic year 2018/19. This is an opportunity for your company to get some external input from enthusiastic and intelligent Oxford Physics undergraduates. In return, our students learn how their physics training can be applied in industry.

The annual MPLS Impact Awards aim to foster and raise awareness of impact by rewarding it at a local level, and prepare the ground for the impact case studies that will be needed for REF 2021, and future similar exercises. This year’s awards were presented at the MPLS Winter Reception on the 6th February at Mansfield College, with the winners receiving a pay award of £1,000 (minus taxes).

Oxford Physicists won awards in three out of the four categories!