Physics discoveries video

From Youtube a Discovery video (45 min) about major physics discoveries. Good for discussion.

Vortex engine

Here is an interesting and intriguing topic which involves a lot of physics some of which is fairly basic. Perhaps good for an assignment? Cannot say how practical it is but looks impressive.

"AVEtec is the brainchild of Canadian engineer, Louis Michaud. His Atmospheric Vortex Engine (AVE) harnesses the physics of tornados to produce extremely cheap and clean energy. In his design, warm or humid air is introduced into a circular station, where it takes the form of a rising vortex, i.e. a controlled tornado. The temperature difference between this heated air and the atmosphere above it supports the vortex and drives multiple turbines. The vortex can be shut down at any time by turning off the source of warm air."

Using X-rays to identify minerals on Mars

The Mars rover (Curiosity) is using X-rays to identify the elements in rocks on Mars according to a report in Universe Today.
"...uses X-ray diffraction, the standard practice for geologists on Earth using much larger laboratory instruments, and this is the first time this method has been used on another planet. It provides more accurate identifications of minerals than any method previously used on Mars. X-ray diffraction reads minerals’ internal structure by recording how their crystals distinctively interact with X-rays."

"We now know it is mineralogically similar to basaltic material, with significant amounts of feldspar, pyroxene and olivine, which was not unexpected. Roughly half the soil is non-crystalline material, such as volcanic glass or products from weathering of the glass."

Looks like a good item to use in class as an example of diffraction or use of X-rays.

Atomic-scale devices

Devices such as electronic components and computer memory are being made from single atoms or a small number of atoms according to this report. Plenty of good physics involved in this. Major technology changes are on the way. Physics and electronics course will have to be revised. Lab work will be more of a challenge...

Thermoelectric electricity generation

The thermoelectric effect ususally gets a brief mention in A-level syllabuses (syllabi). This effect occurs in some materials where a temperature difference produces a potential difference. It is not often used to generate power since the efficiency is low, much less than using,say, a steam driven generator. It is also used in temperature sensors which can be small and robust.
Now progress has been made and a new material found with a much higher efficiency of 15-20% which make it much more useful. See this report from Phys.Org.

Satellite launch

Excellent look at the whole process of assembling the satellite launcher and launching. Features the space centre in French Guiana. A 1 hour program.

The Higgs particle

The more-or-less confirmed discovery of the Higgs particle must be noted as it is of major significance to Physics. See BBC reports here and here. While this development is not a surprise it provides major confirmation of the standard theory of matter (in terms of sub-atomic particles anyway), provides new insights and will lead to new progress in the years to come.

It might be compared somewhat with Rutherford's experiment which confirmed the existence of the atomic nucleus and stimulated many further developments.

I will not attempt to explain what the Higgs particle is - try the above reports for that. But be warned that there is no simple description!