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condensed matter physics
Trends
- 1
University of Chicago physicist Vincenzo Vitelli has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow, receiving the so-called 'genius grant' from the MacArthur Foundation. The fellowship recognizes individuals with exceptional creativity and comes with a no-strings-attached award. Vitelli is known for work in theoretical condensed matter physics, and the honor places him among a select group of fellows across the arts and sciences this year.
- 2Nobel Prize Speculation Focuses on Condensed Matter and Particle Physics▼Is this the year for a Nobel prize in condensed matter, or maybe particle physics?
With the Nobel Prize in Physics announcement approaching, attention in the physics community is turning to which field this year's award might recognise. Commentators are weighing condensed matter research against particle physics as the leading candidates, reflecting ongoing debate about how the committee balances discoveries across disciplines and which breakthroughs of recent years deserve the honour.
- 3Physicists Measure Quasiparticle Carrying a Quarter of Electron's Charge▼Physicists Just Measured a Quasiparticle With One-Quarter of an Electron’s Charge
Physicists have reported measuring a quasiparticle that carries exactly one-quarter of an electron's charge, a fractionally charged excitation emerging from collective behaviour in a material rather than a standalone particle. The result, covered by ZME Science, touches on fractionalization phenomena studied in condensed matter physics and could inform research into exotic quantum states and future quantum technologies.
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Scientists have compiled a two-dimensional atlas of topological materials, cataloguing how these exotic substances behave in 2D forms. The atlas is expected to help researchers identify promising candidates for next-generation electronics and quantum technologies. Coverage focuses on how the classification could speed up the study of materials whose unusual properties are protected against defects, a key goal in condensed matter physics.