In 2025, the field of physics saw major advancements in 2D materials, quantum technology, and cosmology. The year was officially designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Top Breakthroughs of 2025 First Two-Dimensional Metals: Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences succeeded in creating the first-ever 2D sheets of metal, a feat previously thought impossible due to the nature of metallic bonding. These materials, just atoms thick, could lead to ultra-low-power transistors and highly efficient catalysis. Nobel Prize in Physics: The 2025 prize was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their groundbreaking experiments demonstrating macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in electric circuits. Their work in the 1980s proved that quantum mechanics governs large-scale electrical systems, providing the foundation for modern superconducting quantum computers. The First Superfluid Molecule: Physicists observed superfluidity in a molecule (molecular hydrogen) for the first time. This was achieved by confining hydrogen clusters in helium nanodroplets at temperatures below 2 K, marking a milestone in understanding the boundary between classical and quantum behavior. Weakening Dark Energy: New results from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and other cosmological surveys provided the strongest evidence to date that the influence of dark energy may be weakening over time. If confirmed, this could fundamentally reshape the Standard Model of cosmology. Highest-Resolution Atomic Imaging: Using a technique called electron ptychography, researchers at the University of Maryland captured images of individual atoms with a resolution of 15 picometers—roughly 10 times smaller than the atoms themselves. This allowed for the first direct observation of moiré phasons (vibrations in twisted 2D materials). Quantum Protein Sensors: Scientists designed a protein qubit that can be produced directly inside living cells. These 3 nm fluorescent proteins act as highly precise magnetic field sensors, enabling quantum sensing within biological systems. Hollow-Core Optical Fibers: A team from the University of Southampton and Microsoft developed hollow-core fibers that replace the glass core with air. These fibers reduce signal loss by 35% and increase light transmission speeds by 45%, offering a potential replacement for undersea cables. Quantum Control of Antimatter: The BASE collaboration at CERN performed the first coherent spin spectroscopy on a single antiproton. This allows for extremely precise comparisons between matter and antimatter, potentially revealing why the universe is dominated by the former.
Related article - Uphorial Shopify
Other Notable Discoveries Astrophysics: The James Webb Space Telescope identified a "lonely" black hole in the early universe with the mass of 50 million suns, challenging current theories of cosmic formation. Nuclear Fusion: China’s "artificial sun" and France's WEST tokamak set new records for maintaining high-density plasma, pushing fusion energy closer to viability. Geophysics: Researchers found evidence that the Earth's deep interior is more connected to the surface than previously thought, with primordial material from the core making its way outward.
Quanta Magazine
