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UW-Madison Dept Of Physics

@uwmadphysics

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Research, teaching, and public engagement in Physics at @uwmadison

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Want to get a closer look at some of the cool spaces on UW-Madison's campus? Come on by to the Campus Open House as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival! See all the sites ready to welcome you at wiscifest.org/open-house!

Check out the hundreds of events as part of the 2026 Wisconsin Science Festival, October 15-25th Statewide, at wiscifest.org! UW–Madison Campus Open House
9am-10pm
Oct 17

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The celebration continues! 🎉👏

A large crowd gathered at @uwmadison's Chamberlin Hall yesterday to celebrate Professor Francis Halzen’s @nobelprize in physics win.

📸: Alisa King-Klemperer

#NobelPrize2026 #FrancisHalzen

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A Human–AI Collaborative Approach to Theoretical Physics, Relational Modeling, and Conceptual Engineering
Founder and Principal Theorist: Orion Karl Daley
Research Framework: Relative Gravity
Research Environment: Conceptual Physics Laboratory
Collaborative Systems: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot

Abstract
The Relative Gravity Physics Team represents an emerging approach to theoretical investigation in which human intuition, original conceptual frameworks, artificial intelligence, mathematical inquiry, and engineering visualization are brought together within a coordinated research process.

Founded on Orion Karl Daley's Relative Gravity framework, the initiative explores physical relationships through an object-oriented field and relational architecture. Its central objective is to investigate whether phenomena traditionally described through external forces, particle interactions, and established field theories can also be examined through concepts such as Relative Equilibrium, Particle Moment, relational persistence, the Dipolar Lock, coherence, and spatial induction.

The team employs multiple artificial intelligence systems as collaborative research instruments. ChatGPT contributes conceptual analysis, critical examination, and synthesis; Google Gemini contributes functional descriptions and conceptual engineering designs; and Microsoft Copilot is invited to contribute mathematical analysis, consistency checks, and independent criticism. Orion provides the originating theoretical framework, establishes research objectives, integrates contributions, and directs the inquiry.

The team's distinctive approach is its use of a Conceptual Physics Laboratory: an environment in which hypotheses can be developed, diagrams constructed, mechanisms explored, and theoretical consequences examined before the resources required for physical experimentation are available.

The Relative Gravity Fusion Generator, also described as the Spatial Induction Engine, exemplifies this approach. Its conceptual architecture explores a proposed relationship among the hydrogen molecular ion H₂⁺, electron–proton interactions, photon-driven perturbation, relational e

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Step right up to the best (free!) show in town! The WhySci Variety Show is back and better than ever! Come on by to the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Thursday, October 22nd for comedy, science talks, physics demos, live music, and more, hosted by the wonderful Ben Rush from Amalgam Improv! Doors and bar open at 6:30pm.

Tickets are free but registration is requested - visit wiscifest.org/whysci to learn more! Division of the Arts
Wisconsin Science Festival
Live Music, Prizes, Performances, Science Talks
The WHY SCI Variety Show
Thursday, October 22nd
Majestic Theatre
Doors open at 6:30pm

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What’s it like to receive the @nobelprize in physics?

UW–Madison professor and 2026 Nobel laureate in physics Francis Halzen reflects on achieving this top recognition and on the collaborations, challenges and successes along the way to scientific discovery. 🔭 A blue graphic with a quote attributed to Francis Halzen, 2026 Nobel laureate in physics in white text: "It’s nice to receive the prize as recognition of all the great collaborators I had on this project. This project had many challenges, and somehow, I was lucky enough that the right people showed up at the right time with the right talents to overcome them." The design includes geometric and abstract elements in the background.

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We build quantum sensors at Dirac Labs in Madison, so today feels personal. The most extraordinary sensor ever built, run from this same city, just won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

IceCube: a cubic kilometer of Antarctic ice wired with 5,160 light sensors.

#nobelprize #IceCube #UWMadison

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A Nobel Prize for a Badger 🏅

Congratulations to Francis Halzen, #UWMadison professor of @uwmadphysics and principal investigator of the @nsfgov @icecube_neutrino, on being named the 2026 @nobelprize laureate in physics.

His work helped unlock new ways of understanding the universe and the particles known as neutrinos. Tap our link in bio to learn more about his groundbreaking work. Graphic with text reading "2026 Nobel Prize in Physics" above a framed box that says "Francis Halzen, UW–Madison physicist." A portrait of Francis Halzen in a button-down shirt with arms crossed is featured on a blue background with geometric line art.

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The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Francis Halzen (@uwmadison), for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which is a cubic kilometre of ice at the South Pole fitted with light sensors to catch neutrinos from far outside our solar system.

Swipe for the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' illustrations of how it works.

Illustrations: © Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

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Hi, my name is Steven and this summer I interned at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center as a Communications & Outreach Intern for the Planetary Missions Program Office.

I was responsible for designing promotional material, directing communications strategy, and facilitating public outreach for both national and local audiences. Amid running activities with local organizations, I traveled with the comms team to Chicago, and NASA centers in Florida and California. I had the extraordinary privilege of representing NASA at national conferences and events, including beneath the Space Shuttle Atlantis display.

Majoring in Astrophysics and Life Sciences Communication, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. My Digital Studies coursework prepared me by giving me a framework for communicating science to the public and producing media for different audiences. Studying digital communications rhetoric and practices allowed me to feel confident and ready to learn in a setting like NASA.

My favorite moments were touring the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center where I saw the Artemis III rocket being assembled, and meeting Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover at Ames Research Center. He told our group, “You have to catch people’s hearts to fill their minds.” I couldn’t agree more. Steven Nadeau standing in front of model rocket ship

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In no particular order, my semester highlights! Featuring my research, crying over quantum mechanics/electrodynamics, moving into a new apartment, and other shenanigans

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The WUD Distinguished Lecture Series and College of Letters and Science are excited to welcome John Martinis.

Tickets are free and registration for the event is available on the Wisconsin Campus Arts Ticketing Page.

“John Martinis: Engineering the Quantum Future” is a Donald Kerst Lecture Series Event and will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. This is a free event taking place in Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall at 7:00 pm on March 23rd.

John Martinis is a distinguished physicist and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, renowned for his pioneering contributions to superconducting quantum computing.

CART captioning is provided with ASL interpretation upon request.

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The WUD Distinguished Lecture Series and College of Letters and Science are excited to welcome John Martinis. “John Martinis: Engineering the Quantum Future” is a Donald Kerst Lecture Series Event and will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. This is a free event taking place in Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall at 7:00 pm on March 23rd.

John Martinis is a distinguished physicist and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, renowned for his pioneering contributions to superconducting quantum computing.

Tickets are free but required. They will be available starting on March 16th at 2 pm, with a limit of one ticket per person. Registration for the event will be available on the Wisconsin Campus Arts Ticketing Page.

CART captioning is provided with ASL interpretation upon request.
�If you would like to nominate a speaker, there is a link in our biography. We would love to hear your suggestions!

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