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Justin Wark

Professor of Physics, University of Oxford
Justin Wark's research interests lie in the theory, creation, and diagnosis of matter under extremes of temperature, density and pressure – conditions that are far beyond those found on Earth, and only exist at the centre of the giant planets within our own Solar System and beyond, or towards the centre of stars.

Whilst humans can never physically go to these places, it is possible to recreate similar environments in the laboratory, and to make appropriate measurements of the optical, electrical, and physical properties of such matter.

Along with his research group he uses the largest and most powerful optical and x-ray lasers to perform these experiments. The resulting pressures produced can be many tens of millions of atmospheres, and temperatures of millions of degrees. These "miniature stars and planets" created within the laboratory have short lifetimes – sometimes only a few tens of femtoseconds, and within that brief time, all measurements must be made. Experimental data inform the fundamental theory of these dense, hot systems, and Justin's research group also uses "ab initio" quantum simulations and complex atomic physics packages to model the underlying physics. Certain aspects of the work have direct relevance to the quest for laser-driven fusion energy.

Within his department, Justin is Principal Director of the Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science (OxCHEDS), and a William Penney Fellow.

Nuclear fusion may still be decades away, but the latest breakthrough could speed up its development

Dec 19, 2022 16:36 pm UTC| Science

Nuclear fusion holds huge promise as a source of clean, abundant energy that could power the world. Now, fusion researchers at a national laboratory in the US have achieved something physicists have been working towards...

Economy

Nigerians throw naira notes around to show love: but it could land you in jail

The legal implication of physically damaging the naira, Nigerias currency, came into focus recently with the prosecution of at least two celebrities by the countrys Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Nigeria has a...

The US is one of the least trade-oriented countries in the world – despite laying the groundwork for today’s globalized system

Given the spate of news about international trade lately, Americans might be surprised to learn that the U.S. isnt very dependent on it. Indeed, looking at trade as a percentage of gross domestic product a metric...

Beyond the spin, beyond the handouts, here’s how to get a handle on what’s really happening on budget night

Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, TV or news websites on budget night. The quickest way to find out what...

Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility

Ivan Vladislavić is Johannesburgs literary linkman. He tells us, in the first pages of his new book, The Near North, that before cities were lit, first by gaslight and later electricity, people of means paid torchbearers...

Economist Chris Richardson on an ‘ugly’ inflation result and the coming budget

With Jim Chalmerss third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief beyond the tax cuts although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As this weeks consumer price...

Politics

Sudan’s civil war is rooted in its historical favouritism of Arab and Islamic identity

The current civil war in Sudan goes beyond a simple power struggle between two generals. It reflects a deep-rooted crisis within the countrys governing structure thats been present since it gained independence from the...

South Africa’s youth are a generation lost under democracy – study

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently painted a rosy picture in which the countrys youth democracys children had enormous opportunities for advancement, all thanks to successive post-apartheid governments led...

Sadiq Khan on track for third term as London mayor – but nearly half of Londoners dissatisfied with performance

Polls have consistently shown that the incumbent mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, appears to be on track to win a third term in office at the upcoming mayoral elections on May 2. One poll we commissioned as part of our...

The politics stopping the UK from opening a youth mobility scheme with Europe

Earlier this week, it seemed possible that young people in the UK might soon be able to travel freely to work and live in Europe again. The European Commission laid out proposals to open mobility to millions of 18- to...

Biden administration tells employers to stop shackling workers with ‘noncompete agreements’

Most American workers are hired at will: Employers owe their employees nothing in the relationship except earned wages, and employees are at liberty to quit at their option. As the rule is generally stated, either party...

Science

IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects

About a trillion tiny particles called neutrinos pass through you every second. Created during the Big Bang, these relic neutrinos exist throughout the entire universe, but they cant harm you. In fact, only one of them is...

The Mars Sample Return mission has a shaky future, and NASA is calling on private companies for backup

A critical NASA mission in the search for life beyond Earth, Mars Sample Return, is in trouble. Its budget has ballooned from US$5 billion to over $11 billion, and the sample return date may slip from the end of this...

Dark matter: our new experiment aims to turn the ghostly substance into actual light

A ghost is haunting our universe. This has been known in astronomy and cosmology for decades. Observations suggest that about 85% of all the matter in the universe is mysterious and invisible. These two qualities are...

A Nasa rover has reached a promising place to search for fossilised life on Mars

While we go about our daily lives on Earth, a nuclear-powered robot the size of a small car is trundling around Mars looking for fossils. Unlike its predecessor Curiosity, Nasas Perseverance rover is explicitly intended to...

The rising flood of space junk is a risk to us on Earth – and governments are on the hook

A piece of space junk recently crashed through the roof and floor of a mans home in Florida. Nasa later confirmed that the object had come from unwanted hardware released from the international space station. The 700g,...

Technology

Russia's Crypto Clampdown: Tight Regulations Aim to Curb Cryptocurrency Activities

Russia is poised to enact stringent regulations on cryptocurrency trading, aiming to curb the mass trade of digital assets like Bitcoin within its borders. This move, driven by geopolitical tensions and sanctions, signals...

Bitcoin's Ongoing Battle at $64K; Cardano's Hoskinson Ends Ripple Debate

Bitcoin traders are on edge as the cryptocurrency battles to sustain its position above $64,000, with analyst Josh Olszewicz warning of lingering concerns. Meanwhile, Cardanos Charles Hoskinson settles the Ripple and XRP...

Samsung's Galaxy S25 Rumored to Boost Longevity with 'Battery AI'

Samsungs upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra is poised to incorporate Battery AI, an innovative technology promising to improve battery life by up to 10% through smarter energy management. Unlocking the Potential of Battery AI in...

AI Protocol Render (RNDR) Soars 15% As Bitcoin Fights For Balance

As Bitcoin grapples with market volatility, altcoin Render (RNDR) stands out with a remarkable 15% surge, showcasing its resilience amid the crypto markets tumult. This surge comes as Bitcoin struggles to find stability,...

Huawei's Covert US Funding Scheme Raises Eyebrows Amid Export Ban

The revelation of Huaweis discreet sponsorship of U.S. research through a Washington-based foundation has reignited concerns about the efficacy of the export ban. Despite regulatory hurdles, the tech giant managed to fund...