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Comment and Physics

Why we must inspire people with the magic of condensed matter physics

Condensed matter is a huge field of physics that gets less attention than it deserves. We must show people its subtle magic if we are to draw in a diverse set of researchers for the next generation, says Felix Flicker

By Felix Flicker

26 April 2023

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Michelle D’urbano

CONDENSED matter is the largest field in physics, employing a third of all researchers. So why is it almost unknown to the wider public? Essentially, for two reasons: it is familiar and it is practical. Neither property is compatible with the sense of magic that draws the public to science, apparent in topics such as black holes or the recent discovery of “the hat”, a shape that tiles only “aperiodically”. But the familiar and practical are inherently magical – theirs is just a more subtle magic. Learning to appreciate it could popularise the subject and draw in a diverse set of condensed matter physicists for …

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