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“The basic premise is that AI can help us do better physics, and something that is less expected is that physics can also help us understand AI better,” said Northeastern professor James Halverson.
AI and physics have more in common than you might think.
News
Mark Williams, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics, will assume the role of Dean of the College of Science, effective July 1, 2026.
Mark C. Williams named Dean of the College of Science
Will World Cup water breaks have a big impact on team tactics?
FIFA’s hydration breaks at the World Cup are more than a safety measure. Assistant Teaching Professor Brennan Klein say they could shape team tactics.
Meteors are ‘extremely common.’ What makes the one over New England ‘rare’?
Meteors happen all the time, but some are far rarer than others. Assistant Professor Jacqueline McCleary breaks down what happens when space rocks reach Earth.
What network science can tell us about the 2026 World Cup
Assistant Teaching Professor Brennan Klein offers a network science perspective on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Networks are everywhere. These experts helped make them a science
During NetSci 2026, the flagship conference for network science, two of the field’s most influential figures, Albert-László Barabási and Réka Albert, break down how far it has come and why it’s more important than ever.
How Northeastern is helping to try and contain the Ebola outbreak
“We don’t do work on the ground… but we provide the intelligence to the people responding to the emergency,” said Alessandro Vespignani, director of the Network Science Institute.
Network science research expands to four cities on two continents across Northeastern’s global network
Professor Alessandro Vespignani is leading the Network Science Institute in tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues, from predicting pandemics to understanding the impact of AI.
Can Artemis II’s heat shield withstand the force of reentry?
Jacqueline McCleary, an assistant professor of physics, said the odds of the Orion capsule’s heat shield failing are largely uncertain.
Artemis II space launch ‘politically important’ in new era of space competition, expert says
Northeastern astrophysicist Jonathan Blazek notes that Artemis II “is still essentially an experimental vehicle.”
What ‘Project Hail Mary’ gets right – and wrong – about astrophysics, according to an astrophysicist
The Ryan Gosling-led science fiction movie puts science at the center of the frame. Assistant Professor Jacqueline McCleary breaks down whether this space-faring adventure holds up under the microscope.
Alien fever! Why Obama, Trump, Steven Spielberg and astronomy students are talking about extraterrestrial life
Why Obama and Steven Spielberg think aliens are real, explained by teaching professor Stefan Kautsch.
What is an exoplanet? An astrophysicist explains why they are vital for finding alien life
The discovery of a more Earth-like planet beyond our solar system reveals how these objects can help us “understand where we came from and whether we’re also alone,” astrophysicist Jonathan Blazek said.
What different shaped skis do and do not influence
Physicist Stefan Kautsch said ski shape is all about providing a stable platform to best maneuver over the snow.