Frontier Physics, Future Technologies (FutureLearn)

In this course, you’ll explore areas of current physics research and how they can shed light on the fundamental nature of the universe. You’ll also look at some real-world physics applications to build your skills.
Discover how physics explains and shapes the world around us
You’ll start this course by investigating the nature of plasmas and exploring their many applications in areas such as astrophysics, wound healing, fusion energy, and propulsion for spacecraft.
Then, you’ll learn about the process of designing advanced materials, for use in solar cells, lasers, and pharmaceuticals, giving you a peek into the ways that physics is transforming different industries.
We’ll conclude with a look at the building blocks of our universe, the particles that make up everything. From dark matter to quantum communications, we will explore how the smallest constituents of nature affect our everyday lives.
Explore the role of fundamental physics in solving major societal problems
Modern physics research can help develop solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing issues. You’ll look at the different solutions that physicists are discovering. From fusion as an energy source to medical diagnostics, you’ll discover the various future technologies being worked on now.
York is home to internationally recognised research groups in condensed matter physics, plasma physics, nuclear physics, and the physics of life.
You’ll be taught by world-renowned physicists as they guide you through their cutting-edge research and show you how physics can be used to shape the world around us.

What topics will you cover?

• Applications of the fourth state of matter, plasma, including wound healing, and propulsion for spacecraft
• The potential of fusion as an energy source for the future Imaging nanostructures using electron microscopy
• Designing advanced materials, for use in solar cells, lasers, and pharmaceuticals
• Particles and how we detect them
• Applications of particle detectors for studying fundamental physics (including neutron stars and dark matter) and medical diagnostics (cancer therapy and PET scanners)

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

• Investigate the properties of plasmas and understand their place in the universe
• Explore how materials can be engineered and investigated at the atomic level
• Explain how we can detect and manipulate individual particles
• Describe the link between fundamental research and real world applications
• Discuss the crucial role of physics in solving major societal problems