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2025-2026 Physics and Astronomy Interactions Newsletter
Welcome to the Special Summer 2025-2026 edition of Interactions, an annual publication for Purdue's Department of Physics and Astronomy. Interactions online highlights exciting published research, faculty spotlights, students, alumni, and achievement recognitions.
2 Purdue AI research projects selected among the first Genesis Mission awards
Two Purdue University faculty are leading separate projects recently announced for funding by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission awards. Purdue is the only university in Indiana to lead projects under AI-focused research awards. Wei Xie, professor of physics and astronomy, was one of the awardees.
Antimatter under a sharper lens: Purdue physicist helps ALPHA Collaboration test one of nature's biggest questions
Why is the universe filled with matter when our best theories say matter and antimatter should behave almost exactly the same way? A new Nature study from CERN's ALPHA Collaboration is putting that question under a sharper lens, measuring a key property of antihydrogen with 100 times greater precision than previous measurements. Purdue University physicist Francis Robicheaux contributed simulations that helped researchers interpret what was happening to antihydrogen atoms inside the experiment.
On a flight into space, Purdue researchers will test forces that could determine how we find our way, build and survive in space
In 2027, Purdue researchers will follow that bead of liquid aboard a Virgin Galactic spacecraft and into microgravity, chasing answers that could determine how spacecraft navigate, how manufacturing for the supply chain can be accomplished in space, and how humans can survive and function there.
The Road to the Stars: Five out-of-this-world facts about campus astronomical observatories
AAC&U — Five out-of-this-world facts about campus astronomical observatories. PhysAstro's Danny Milisavljevic was quoted in the article.
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