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New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Matthew Sparkes

Technology reporter

London

Bio

Matthew Sparkes is a science and technology reporter who first wrote for ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2006 and currently covers robotics, quantum computing, AI and mathematics. Previously he wrote for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, and he has a BSc and MSc from the University of East Anglia, where he studied AI and computer science.

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More from Matthew Sparkes

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Technology

Your deepest-held beliefs form a pattern than can be predicted by AI

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Technology

Hijacked cicadas play music like a cyborg loudspeaker

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Technology

Meta, Amazon and Google accused of 'distorting' key AI rankings

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Technology

Chatbots can hide secret messages in seemingly normal conversations

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Technology

Hackers could 'vandalise' quantum computers without people noticing

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Liquid Gold Anna Curran Department of Mathematics A lattice of bubbles inside a ring that has been dipped in soapy water. The bubbles hold their shape because of molecules in the dish soap called surfactants, which stabilise the interface. Surfactants are all around us - for example, they allow soap to break down dirt and bacteria, and they are given to premature babies to help them inflate their lungs. Conversely, they threaten the efficacy of various industrial applications such as self-cleaning surfaces and laptop cooling systems. My research focuses on mathematically modelling the effect of these molecules at a f luid interface, in order to gain a greater understanding of how to control their behaviour in these applications.

Physics

Photography contest spotlights the beauty of science in vivid detail

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Space

Most accurate space clock to launch – and count down to destruction

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Technology

Slices of wood can filter bacteria and microplastics from water

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Technology

AI-powered chilli spray could deter bears without injuring them

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Mathematics

Artist brings data to life in striking screen prints

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Space

Can Amazon's soon-to-launch Kuiper satellites rival Musk's Starlink?

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Technology

Light-based computers are getting close to a commercial launch

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