The hottest Physics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

From Ore to Core

Doomberg β€’ 115 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. This post discusses the importance of nuclear energy as a baseload power source.
  2. The session with physicist James Krellenstein provides insights into the technology and its value chain.
  3. The content is exclusively available for subscribers in the Doomberg Pro plan.

Tiling the plane with congruent polygons

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. You can't cover a flat surface with regular pentagons because their angles don't fit together perfectly. The angle of a pentagon is 108Β°, and it's not a number that evenly divides into 360Β°.
  2. However, there are other shapes, like certain hexagons and quadrilaterals, that can tile the plane without any gaps. These shapes can fit together nicely to fill space.
  3. Tiling is a fun way to explore patterns and geometry, showing how shapes can interact in creative and mathematical ways. It leads to interesting discoveries in both art and mathematics.

Counting dimer tilings

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained β€’ 36 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Dimer tilings involve arranging domino-shaped pieces on grids, and how many ways you can arrange them can vary based on the layout. For example, on a 3x3 grid with one space empty, there are 18 different arrangements.
  2. If at least one dimension of a rectangle is even, it's possible to cover it completely with dimers. However, if both dimensions are odd, it's impossible to cover them without leaving gaps.
  3. There are mathematical patterns and theorems, like Gomory's Theorem, that help understand how to tile grids with dimers. These principles can show when tiling is possible based on the arrangement and color of squares.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The devil is old

Wednesday Wisdom β€’ 113 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Physics
  1. Experience and age often bring wisdom, knowledge, and a unique perspective.
  2. In technology, while tools and capabilities have evolved, fundamental principles like people dynamics, math, and physics remain constant.
  3. Despite advancements, people still struggle with basic math, concurrent programming, and effective communication in group settings.

Chopper amplifiers: history and present

Only Wonder Knows β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 15 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Chopper amplifiers are a technique to reduce DC offset and low frequency noise in amplifiers.
  2. Historically, chopper amplifiers have been implemented using innovative methods like optical chopping with cadmium sulfide light-dependent resistors.
  3. Contemporary engineers can refer to Jim Williams' design for an ultrahigh performance instrumentation amplifier that resembles the old chopper amplifier concept.

The Carnot Belief Engine

Data People Etc. β€’ 177 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Physics
  1. Belief engines like Twitter manipulate beliefs through structured processes.
  2. Changing beliefs involves expanding to new ideas and compressing back to defaults.
  3. Learning processes, like machine learning, follow cycles of expansion and compression.

The Devil and the Cerulean Sweater

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward β€’ 127 implied HN points β€’ 21 Oct 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The color cerulean comes from the Latin word for sky and should represent the color of the sky.
  2. Rayleigh scattering explains why the sky appears blue - shorter wavelengths scatter more.
  3. Calculating the color of Anne Hathaway's cerulean sweater using physics resulted in a color close to the original, proving Meryl Streep's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada' was correct.

Links #5

Splitting Infinity β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Developing countries like Nigeria and Rwanda are adopting advanced technologies like cryptocurrency and drone networks, showcasing potential for growth.
  2. Innovative solutions like pneumatic canopies for climate control are being considered for equatorial megacities facing heatwaves due to climate change.
  3. Advancements in technology such as gondola systems for cities and improved desalination methods show promise for future urban development and sustainability.

Nuclear Fusion: The State of Play

State of the Future β€’ 34 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Nuclear fusion has great potential for clean energy, but it still faces big challenges like cost and technical hurdles. Commercial fusion might not be realistic until around 2040, despite recent progress.
  2. Different methods of achieving fusion exist, each with their own pros and cons. For example, magnetic confinement is well-researched but expensive, while inertial confinement uses lasers but has its own limitations.
  3. Investment in fusion technology is growing, with billions already being put in by both private companies and governments. This means, even though it's a tough path, there's hope for fusion as a key player in future energy strategies.

Time response of first order systems

Only Wonder Knows β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. When measuring a system's response time, make sure to wait for at least five time constants to reach a stable state.
  2. First order systems have a unique time response that can be calculated using simple expressions.
  3. Extracting the time constant of a system involves analyzing data, normalizing measurements, and ensuring a good fit to confirm the system's behavior.

Friday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Albert Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity was published in 1905.
  2. The theory reconciled Maxwell's equations with laws of mechanics.
  3. Einstein's theory introduced the concept of the speed of light.

Links from July

nic thinks about things β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 01 Aug 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Physics
  1. Actuaries have the lowest divorce rate, while Gaming managers and Bartenders have the highest.
  2. Creating a "physical" camera in Blender feels like simulating physics.
  3. Improving indoor air quality is a cost-effective way to enhance health and cognition.

What Eeez a Homeostat?

The Heart Attack Diet β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Aug 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Physics
  1. A homeostat keeps something constant by defending a specific state, like a thermostat regulating temperature in a house.
  2. In trying to adjust homeostasis, common solutions like restricting fuel or insulation removal might not work as expected due to the complexity of the system.
  3. Sometimes, a simple adjustment like resetting the thermostat can have a more effective impact on maintaining the desired state.

A New Armonica Patent

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 20 Aug 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. A new patent for the Armonica indicates a shift from using tortuous nanopores. This may lead to new ways of detecting DNA or other biopolymers.
  2. The earlier version used a complicated meandering structure to slow down the passage of DNA, which helped with detection.
  3. The latest approach seems to be different, suggesting potential improvements in the technology.

1517 Does Astronomy & Astrophysics: The Physics of Supernovas

1517 Fund β€’ 121 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Supernovas are powerful explosions from single stars that can outshine entire galaxies, impacting human understanding and progress.
  2. Advancements in astronomy and technology, like robotic telescopes and big data analysis, are revolutionizing our exploration of the universe.
  3. Nature's energy events, like neutron star mergers creating elements, are incredibly powerful and creative, shaping our world and existence.

An Interview about the Origins Project Foundation

Critical Mass β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The Origins Project Foundation is focused on science and education, aiming to inspire curiosity and understanding. It's important for our society to engage with scientific ideas.
  2. The Science Book Club is supporting the foundation through fundraising efforts, which can help promote more educational initiatives. Supporting such causes helps spread knowledge to a wider audience.
  3. Interviews and discussions about science can shed light on complex topics. Conversations like the one from the Science Book Club help make science more accessible.

The Physics of Intelligence

Breaking Smart β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The physics of intelligence is not substrate dependent, similar to the physics of flight.
  2. The key questions in understanding the physics of intelligence relate to attention, memory, and the relationship between intelligence and information.
  3. Intelligence is not just about computation, but also about embodiment and specific interactions within the universe.

(Ad-free Video) What's New in Science With Sabine and Lawrence

Critical Mass β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jul 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. There may be large reservoirs of hydrogen on Earth that could support a clean energy future with hydrogen fuel.
  2. The Vera C. Rubin Telescope in Chile is revealing more about the universe and helping scientists understand cosmic mysteries.
  3. AI might start to help design and improve coding systems, which could save energy in training models and even be useful in understanding the origins of life.

Tips for new community members

Quantum Formalism β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 22
🚌 Education Physics
  1. Start with the 'Foundation Module' YouTube playlist for basics on finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces and quantum mechanics postulates
  2. Consider auditing crash courses on topics like Topology & Differential Geometry for Lie Groups and Group Theory for advanced knowledge
  3. Exploring topics like smooth manifolds and Group Theory can be valuable not just in quantum computation but also in applied fields like ML and Cryptography

The Game of Diophantus

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 26 Jun 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Diophantus, an ancient Greek mathematician, is known for solving equations with two unknowns and his work formed the basis for modern cryptographic algorithms like ECC.
  2. The lost works of Diophantus, preserved during historical upheavals, resurfaced over centuries, impacting later mathematicians like Fermat, who posed the famous Last Theorem.
  3. The journey from Tycho, who pioneered data science with precise astronomical observations, to Kepler discovering that planetary orbits are ellipses, connects to the development of elliptic curves in mathematics.

The NextSeq 2000 Optical System

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 13 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The NextSeq 2000 utilizes structured illumination to improve imaging quality. This technology allows for clearer images of very small features that were hard to see before.
  2. This updated information aims to reach a broader audience, moving from a previous platform to this one.
  3. The content is exclusive for paid subscribers, highlighting the value in subscribing for more detailed insights.

Geometric Constraints on Computing

Bzogramming β€’ 30 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Physics
  1. The physical constraints of computing, such as distance and volume, significantly impact performance and efficiency.
  2. Parallelism at different scales within a program can affect latency and performance, offering opportunities for optimization.
  3. Considerations like curvature of computation, square-cube law, and heat generation play a crucial role in the design and limitations of computer chips.

Non-Newtonian Computing?

Bzogramming β€’ 30 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Physics
  1. Physics has alternative framings like Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, which could inspire new ways of viewing computation.
  2. Reversible computing, preserving information by having bijective gates, is crucial for energy efficiency and future computing technologies.
  3. Studying constraint solvers and NP-complete problems can lead to insights for accelerating search algorithms and developing new computing approaches.

Live Critical Mass Interactive Zoom Q&A: June 22nd @ 10AM PT

Critical Mass β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. There will be a live Zoom Q&A for paid subscribers on June 22nd at 10 AM PT. It's a great chance to ask questions and join the conversation.
  2. Subscribers can discuss recent podcasts, the upcoming book 'The War on Science', and various science topics. It's a fun space for lively discussions.
  3. Supporting Critical Mass helps keep the Origins Project and other programs running. Your financial help allows access to exclusive content and events.

The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe: A Partial Summary and Review

Unstabler Ontology β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. CTMU presents the universe as a self-processing language, enabling a unique perspective on reality.
  2. The theory explores concepts like telic recursion, generalized utility maximization, and syndiffeonesis to understand the universe's organization.
  3. Key principles such as the Telic Principle suggest a link between the universe's structure and the optimization of self-selection parameters.

Fundamental physics, new drug delivery & hair growth strategies

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 16 Dec 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Condensed matter physics has influenced the development of neural networks, showing that physics concepts can explain complex systems.
  2. John Hopfield created a model of neural networks that simplifies computation without focusing too much on biology.
  3. This model can remember information by using energy states, similar to how memories might work in real biological systems.

More than Just a Pretty Space: How Symmetry Hides in Science

Quantum Formalism β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Mar 22
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Upcoming webinar on the applications of Group theory in science by Owen Tanner from Glasgow University.
  2. Registration open for Lecture 03 at [https://www.crowdcast.io/e/group-theory-lecture-03](https://www.crowdcast.io/e/group-theory-lecture-03).
  3. Encouragement to join the Discord community and follow Zaiku Group on LinkedIn and Twitter for updates.

My Favourite Spoof Papers

By Reason Alone β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 22 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Academia has a tradition of publishing joke papers to make serious points.
  2. Some papers have humorous names and content that push the boundaries.
  3. Spoof papers address serious topics in a funny way to provoke critical thinking.

Influential Mathematicians: Henri Lebesgue

Quantum Formalism β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Aug 20
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Henri Lebesgue is known as the father of modern integration theory for formulating the theory of measure and giving the definition of the Lebesgue integral, which expanded mathematical analysis.
  2. Lebesgue's work on integration theory was crucial to the development of the Hilbert space formalism in quantum mechanics, demonstrating its influence on mathematical foundations of quantum physics.
  3. Lebesgue made major contributions in various mathematical areas beyond integration theory, including topology, potential theory, calculus of variations, set theory, and dimension theory.

QE, UAPs, Aliens and The Invisible War

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. After the Great Financial Crisis, defense spending has become a new form of quantitative easing, fueling an arms race and geopolitical tensions.
  2. Increased defense budgets across countries signal a shift towards investment in innovation and military capabilities.
  3. The emergence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) raises questions about advanced technology, possible alien involvement, and the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Scale-free

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 21 Mar 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The post discusses the importance of broad thinking in physics and its application to various fields.
  2. It highlights George Parisi's work on understanding complex systems through physics.
  3. Parisi's contributions have led to breakthroughs in areas like climate modeling and stochastic resonance.

(Ad-free Video) What's New in Science With Sabine and Lawrence

Critical Mass β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 25
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. A new podcast series will discuss exciting science stories every month, featuring experts Sabine Hossenfelder and Lawrence Krauss. They're both knowledgeable and will provide unique perspectives on current events in science.
  2. The discussions aim to go beyond the simple headlines and hype, offering deeper insights into topics like quantum computing, climate change, and more. This approach helps clarify complex issues that often get oversimplified in the news.
  3. The podcast emphasizes that science is a collaborative effort, showcasing how scientists debate and build on each other's ideas. This makes the podcast not just informative but also a peek into the dynamic world of scientific discourse.

Superb Halos

GOOD INTERNET β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Atmospheric ice crystal optics can create superb halos that are visually stunning and fascinating.
  2. Halos are optical phenomena caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere, with different types like the 22Β° Halo.
  3. Kenneth Libbrecht, known as the "pope of snow crystals," released a monograph explaining the formation of ice crystals and snowflakes.

Everything Wrong With: "Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly" Part 4/8

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. The term 'TechBio' may seem superficial, but technology development in biology is complex and involves a mix of disciplines.
  2. The first qPCR machine from 1992 involved intricate instrumentation like photomultiplier tubes and a variety of electronic components.
  3. The development of technology in biology requires navigating complexity and balancing biochemistry and detection techniques to meet market demands.

Foreword: Lost in Math

Critical Mass β€’ 20 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 23
πŸ”¬ Science Physics
  1. Science is driven by careful observations and making predictions.
  2. In physics, the tension between truth and beauty can lead to debates and different perspectives.
  3. Evaluating theories in physics should prioritize empirical data over mathematical elegance.