School of Physics & Astronomy news

Ariel Data Challenge 2025: Advanced exoplanet atmosphere detection returns with enhanced realism

1 July 2025

Global competition returns with more sophisticated simulations to help decode secrets of distant worlds

A microscopic image of typical 3D nanostructured magnetic materials.

Turning artificial materials into real-life solutions

11 June 2025

Cardiff scientists part of ground-breaking hub to advance cutting-edge 3D nanostructured metamaterials

New breakthrough in quantum dot sensors

2 June 2025

A Cardiff-led team has developed a high-performance near-infrared quantum dot sensor with record responsivity, paving the way for low-light biomedical imaging and next-gen optical communications.

Cardiff University team becomes first from Wales to win Enactus UK and Ireland Championship

28 May 2025

A student team from Cardiff University has become the first-ever team from Wales to win the Enactus UK and Ireland National Championship, earning the honour of representing the UK at the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok this September.

New Learned Society of Wales Fellows to help solve the challenges the world faces

28 May 2025

15 Cardiff University academics have joined the elite ranks of the of the Learned Society of Wales.

A man wearing glasses and a checked shirt is photographed outside a period building.

Cardiff scientist elected to lead global gravitational-wave collaboration

19 May 2025

Professor Stephen Fairhurst becomes first LIGO Scientific Collaboration Spokesperson from UK institution

DNA-like molecule could survive conditions akin to clouds of Venus, study finds

7 May 2025

Experiment marks new chapter on potential of sulfuric acid as a solvent for life

head shots of Yusif and Thomas, who are featured in the article

Cardiff duo win top prize for road safety innovation

1 May 2025

Physics and Astronomy students students take first place Innovative Developer Start-Up Award

Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar system

17 April 2025

Chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide and/or dimethyl disulfide observed in atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b

Boost for Bremen-Cardiff semiconductor physics alliance

1 April 2025

New research links kick-started during Bremen academics’ visit to Cardiff

An observation from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope

Telescope observations reveal universe’s hours-old baby pictures, scientists say

18 March 2025

Most precise images to date enabled team to put standard model of cosmology through rigorous tests

Origins of black holes revealed in their spin, study finds

7 January 2025

Gravitational waves data held clues for high-mass black holes’ violent beginnings

The Ariel satellite passing through space and over ones and zeros which represent data.

AI quest sheds light on how to study distant planets

13 December 2024

Cardiff researchers play a major part in successful international space data challenge

Cardiff celebrates new Physics Inclusion Award with leading UK physicists

13 November 2024

Award developed by Institute of Physics with university physicists, including School of Physics and Astronomy EDI team

Starter for ten: Cardiff University through to second round of University Challenge

30 October 2024

The team secured a comfortable win over St Andrews in TV’s toughest quiz team tournament.

A computer-generated image of the PRIMA telescope layered on top of astrophotography of the Milky Way.

Cardiff scientists part of team bidding for $1bn NASA mission

22 October 2024

Cardiff Astronomy Instrumentation Group will provide filters and other optics for NASA space observatory scheduled to launch in 2032

A photograph of a woman with blonde hair wearing thick black-rimmed glasses.

Physicist honoured for outstanding work on revolutionary astronomical instruments and facilities

15 October 2024

Professor Carole Tucker selected as 2024 recipient of IOP’s James Joule Medal and Prize

A scientist installing the 40kg mirrors into the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).

Using gravitational wave detectors to help solve the biggest mystery in physics and astronomy

13 September 2024

LIGO detector data helps scientists put new limits on strength of ultra-low-mass dark matter

Compound semiconductor consortium announced as a finalist for prestigious award

13 September 2024

CSconnected named as a finalist for the Bhattacharyya Award

A futuristic glowing quantum computer unit. It resembles a network of interconnected wires extending downwards from a cylindrical component.

Cardiff University researchers part of £106 million investment in new Quantum hubs

14 August 2024

Cardiff University experts are supporting two new research hubs which aim to harness quantum technology to improve healthcare and computing.