Harvard’s Avi Loeb and Warp-Drive Theorist Shaun Fell Join Applied Physics to Explore Gravitational Physics for Space Applications

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Harvard’s Avi Loeb and Warp-Drive Theorist Shaun Fell Join Applied Physics to Explore Gravitational Physics for Space Applications

2025-04-02 03:51 Last Updated At：04:02

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 1, 2025--

Applied Physics, the pioneering research collective advancing breakthrough technologies in space and gravitational physics, announced today that Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and warp-drive theorist Shaun Fell are joining the organization to help lead a project focused on applying recent advances in gravitational physics for practical commercial applications.

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The project will explore how gravitational wave detection techniques—such as those used by LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna)—can be adapted for new astrophysical applications. By leveraging the latest breakthroughs in gravitational signatures, Applied Physics aims to develop novel technologies for remote sensing, planetary defense, and advanced propulsion.

“Avi Loeb and Shaun Fell are two of the foremost minds in astrophysics and gravitational research; their expertise will help push Applied Physics’ mission forward,” said Gianni Martire, CEO of Applied Physics.

Harnessing Gravitational Physics for Real-World Applications

Dr. Avi Loeb, the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, is one of the world’s leading experts on black holes, spacetime structures, and the search for extraterrestrial life. He is currently the director of Harvard’s Institute for Theory and Computation and chaired the Harvard Astronomy department between 2011-2020. He also served as the founding director of Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative, a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology at the White House, and chaired the National Academies’ Board on Physics and Astronomy, helping shape U.S. scientific priorities. Loeb’s groundbreaking work has transformed modern astrophysics, from predicting how black holes interact with light to leading high-profile searches for interstellar objects.

At Applied Physics, Loeb will drive research into gravitational signals, techno-signatures, and next-generation detection methods, building on his work with LISA and LIGO. These collaborations could open new frontiers in deep-space observation and other practical applications.

“I’m thrilled to join Applied Physics,” said Loeb. “They’re redefining how we do science, and I look forward to advancing both interstellar exploration and innovative uses of gravitational physics.”

Dr. Shaun D. B. Fell, an expert in gravitational wave physics and theoretical astrophysics, holds a Ph.D. from Universität Heidelberg. His research focuses on using gravitational waves to constrain dark matter models and developing numerical relativity tools critical to modified gravity research. At ETH Zürich, Fell co-authored a landmark study demonstrating that warp drive concepts can theoretically function with positive energy, advancing Applied Physics’ 2021 breakthrough in interstellar propulsion. Fell’s membership with the LISA consortium—the ESA’s and NASA’s next-generation gravitational wave observatory—aligns with Applied Physics’ broader mission to enhance gravitational detection for astrophysical and planetary applications. His expertise in high-energy physics and alternative propulsion models strengthens the think tank’s ability to explore gravity-based sensing, interstellar travel, and deep-space research.

A New Era for Applied Physics

Applied Physics has established itself as a leader in gravitational research, advanced sensing, and interstellar exploration. The think tank previously developed open-source tools like Warp Factory to advance the feasibility of warp propulsion and has conducted novel studies on LIGO’s ability to detect high-velocity extraterrestrial objects. With Loeb and Fell joining the team, Applied Physics is now accelerating its work on gravitational sensing technologies and the next phase of deep-space propulsion research.

“This is no coincidence,” said Martire. “We are working on something historic. With math, we have a path.” Applied Physics is actively engaged with the U.S. government and venture capital firms to advance next-generation technology. More announcements will follow.

Join the Movement

Applied Physics is a Public Benefit Company committed to pushing the boundaries of science and technology for the betterment of humanity. Scientists, engineers, and researchers interested in joining the movement are encouraged to reach out. For media inquiries, please contact: press@AppliedPhysics.org.

About Applied Physics

Applied Physics® is an international research collective dedicated to advancing scientific innovation for the benefit of humanity. As a Public Benefit Company, we unite leading experts in physics, engineering, and space exploration to tackle the most pressing challenges in science and technology. Learn more at https://appliedphysics.org.

Britain announces more support for Ukraine's fight against Russia as Kyiv's Western backers meet

2025-04-11 17:07 Last Updated At：17:11

BRUSSELS (AP) — Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia's invasion and a U.S. envoy flew to Moscow amid ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armored vehicles on the battlefield.

On the eve of the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a key issue was strengthening his country’s air defenses. “Ukraine needs a sufficient number of modern systems like Patriot” missile systems, he said in a post on social media.

“A political decision is needed to supply these systems to protect our cities, towns, and the lives of our people — especially from the threat of Russian ballistic weapons. Our partners have such available systems,” Umerov said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeals for more Patriot systems since 20 people were killed a week ago, including nine children, when a Russian missile tore through apartment buildings and blasted a playground in his home town.

“Ukraine needs at the very least 10 systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none,” he said on his Telegram channel ahead of the meeting. "We are counting on decisions.”

Zelenskyy joined Friday's meeting by video link.

Russian forces hold the advantage in Ukraine, with the war now in its fourth year. Ukraine has endorsed a U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Russia has effectively blocked it by imposing far-reaching conditions.

The Russian delay in accepting Washington's proposal has frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump and fueled doubts about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin really wants to stop the fighting while his bigger army has momentum on the battlefield.

“Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations to end the war,” the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said in an assessment late Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was back in Moscow on Friday but he didn’t confirm whether he will meet with Putin. Witkoff has been pressing the Kremlin to accept a truce.

Washington remains committed to securing a peace deal, even though four weeks have passed since it made its ceasefire proposals, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

“It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder,” Bruce said Thursday about the war, adding that “nothing else can be discussed … until the shooting and the killing stops.”

Ukrainian officials and military analysts believe Russia is preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in coming weeks to ramp up pressure and strengthen the Kremlin’s hand in the negotiations.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would provide Ukraine with four IRIS-T short- to medium-range systems with missiles, as well as 30 missiles for use on Patriot batteries. The Netherlands plans to supply a Hawkeye air defense system, an airborne early warning aircraft.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that his country is monitoring the world armaments market and sees opportunities for Ukraine’s backers to buy more weapons and ammunition.

Pevkur said he believes Putin might try to reach some kind of settlement with Ukraine by May 9 — the day that Russia marks victory during World War II — making it even more vital to strengthen Kyiv’s position now.

“This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can,” he said.

Friday’s meeting is the 27th gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. It’s being chaired by Britain and Germany. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be absent from a forum that the United States created and led for several years, although he was due to take part via video.

Hegseth spent the first part of this week in Panama and returned to Washington on Wednesday night.

At the last contact group meeting in February, Hegseth warned Ukraine’s European backers that the U.S. now has priorities elsewhere — in Asia and on America’s own borders — and that they would have to take care of their own security, and that of Ukraine, in future.

Asked about the U.S. stepping back from its leadership role on Ukraine, Pistorius declined to comment, saying only that “it’s a decision of the new administration in Washington.”

“We are here to take over the lead,” he told reporters, “and we are willing and determined to do that with full responsibility and together with our allies.”

AP reporter Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this story.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine