EPJ Plus Focus Point: CBRNE events: prevention, mitigation, consequences and recovery
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- Published on 04 March 2026
Guest Editors: Andrea Malizia, Marco D’Arienzo, Gian Marco Contessa, Francesco d’Errico, Susana de Souza Lalic, Frank Duschek, Vasilis Vasiliou, Antony M. Hooker, Pasquale Gaudio
CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) events remain among the most complex and disruptive threats facing contemporary societies, demanding integrated scientific and technological responses across multiple domains. This Focus Point of The European Physical Journal Plus brings together a curated collection of contributions that address the entire CBRNE risk-management cycle, from prevention and early detection to impact assessment, emergency response, and recovery. The articles highlight advances in radiation and nuclear detection, chemical and biological sensing, aerosol science, forensic analysis, and high-fidelity modelling, alongside innovative approaches in decontamination, responder protection, digital governance, and critical-infrastructure resilience. Particular attention is given to field-deployable technologies, UAV-based sensing platforms, decision-support tools, and scenario-based modelling frameworks that bridge research and operational practice. By integrating physics, engineering, biosciences, and digital technologies, this Focus Point provides a multidisciplinary and operationally relevant perspective on CBRNE preparedness and resilience. It offers researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers scientifically robust insights and scalable solutions to address non-conventional threats in an increasingly interconnected world.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 23 April 2026. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Highlight - GEMINI: Suppressing seismic noise for future gravitational-wave detectors
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- Published on 04 March 2026
By refining seismic isolation and control strategies deep underground, GEMINI aims to unlock the low-frequency frontier of gravitational-wave astronomy
Since the first observation of gravitational waves in 2015, detectors including LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA have analysed numerous ripples in the fabric of spacetime, pushing our understanding of astronomy and fundamental physics to new limits. However, the capabilities of these existing ground-based detectors have been constrained by seismic noise: ambient seismic vibrations in the Earth’s crust that overlap with the frequencies of gravitational waves below around 10 Hz. So far, this has made it difficult for researchers to distinguish this noise from genuine low-frequency gravitational-wave signals.
Through a new study published in EPJ Plus, a team led by Tomislav Andric at the Gran Sasso Science Institute explores the future potential of GEMINI: a cutting-edge underground testbed dedicated to seismic isolation and control technologies. Their study provides a valuable roadmap for planned next-generation detectors, including the Einstein Telescope and the Lunar Gravitational-Wave Antenna (LGWA) – possibly paving the way for a new wave of astronomical discoveries.
New EPJ Plus Section: Radiation Physics and CBRNe Science
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- Published on 03 March 2026
EPJ Plus is proud to announce the launch of a new section “Radiation Physics and CBRNe Science” established to provide a unified scientific platform where radiation physics and CBRNe science are equally represented as complementary and interdependent domains.
Within this integrated framework, the section aims to host high-quality research that advances fundamental understanding, technological innovation, and operational preparedness across all chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNe) dimensions, with radiation physics standing alongside chemical, biological, and explosive sciences as a core component of integrated risk management. In this context, the section provides a dedicated platform for studies addressing radiation-related phenomena across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from routine exposures in medicine, industry, energy, and research to accidental or intentional releases of radiological and nuclear materials in complex emergency and security scenarios.
Beyond original research articles, the section also welcomes progress reports, roadmaps and white papers, technical documents, and protocols as well as tutorials and reviews. Contributions may also take the form of perspectives and position papers, case studies, and lessons-learned analyses or validation and intercomparison studies.
By establishing “Radiation Physics and CBRNe Science” as a new section, EPJ Plus affirms its commitment to interdisciplinary research that bridges physics, engineering, life sciences, and security domains while fostering a community of researchers and practitioners working at the frontier of non-conventional risk science.
For more details please read this Editorial written by the Managing Editors of this new section, Gian Marco Contessa (Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy) and Andrea Malizia (Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy).
EPJ Plus Highlight - A roadmap for radiation protection in human space exploration
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- Published on 10 February 2026
Comprehensive new review outlines the risks posed by space radiation, and the strategies needed to safeguard astronauts on long missions into outer space
Among the many challenges of human space exploration, radiation remains one of the most serious threats to astronaut health. Before the next extended interplanetary voyages, researchers must better understand both the risks posed by space radiation and how they can be mitigated.
In a comprehensive review published in EPJ Plus, a team led by Livio Narici at the University of Rome Tor Vergata examines the complex nature of the space radiation environment, its biological effects, and the latest strategies for risk assessment and mitigation. Drawing together results from lab studies, space missions, and analogue experiments, the team identify key knowledge gaps and propose a detailed roadmap for protecting human health during future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
EPJ Plus Highlight - Using protein microtubules for quantum computations
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- Published on 20 January 2026
A new model shows how networks of protein-based microtubules could host entangled quantum states under normal biological conditions
For now, the possibility of using biological structures as a platform for quantum computing remains an open question. While existing quantum computers require tightly controlled conditions to preserve quantum coherence, researchers have begun exploring how quantum information could be stored and processed more naturally within complex biomolecular structures.
In new research published in EPJ Plus, Nick Mavromatos at the National Technical University of Athens), Andreas Mershin at RealNose.AI, and Dimitri Nanopoulos at Texas A&M University present a model in which entangled quantum states are hosted by networks of protein-based microtubules. If experimentally confirmed, this model could open entirely new avenues toward biological quantum computers, potentially more resilient to information loss than current technologies.
EPJ Plus Highlight - A better model for effective neutron capture therapy
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- Published on 19 December 2025
Accounting for multiple neutron production mechanisms, the model makes safe neutron-based cancer treatments easier to control
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an innovative technique for treating tumours that are non-operable, or resistant to more conventional treatments. To exploit BNCT’s potential at its best, a neutron beam with suitable energy and angular distributions is needed. Nowadays, proton accelerators coupled to lithium or beryllium targets are widely used as neutron sources, but so far, the yields of neutrons produced by the beryllium target, which is the safest and most controllable of the two, have proven difficult to calculate.
Through new research published in EPJ Plus, Alessandro Colombi and colleagues at Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics have developed a new model for proton-BNCT, which can more accurately calculate the neutron beams produced when protons are fired into a thick beryllium-9 target. Their model could ultimately lead to more reliable techniques for treating malignant tumours.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Scientific Research in Cultural Heritage 2022
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- Published on 12 December 2025
Guest Editors: Ludovic Bellot-Gurlet, Danilo Bersani, Anne-Solenn Le Hô, Delphine Neff, Laurianne Robinet, Aurélie Tournié
This EPJ Plus Focus Point on “Scientific Research in Cultural Heritage: articles from the 5th International Conference on Innovation in Art Research and Technology (inArt 2022)” brings together 33 papers from 47 oral presentations and 119 posters presented at the conference held in Paris from 28 June to 1 July 2022. These articles illustrate the wide range of topics covered at the conference, which fall within the scope of archaeometry or conservation science. The aspects presented in the various studies may concern issues of understanding ancient materials and techniques, as well as deterioration mechanisms and conservation strategies. Transversally, given the objects to be studied and the constraints posed by heritage objects, the use of mobile instruments and on-site measurements is involved in many of the works, whether in case studies or in the development of specific methodologies.
Since the 2022 edition in Paris, a new edition of the inArt conferences has been organised in Oslo (Norway) from 4 to 7 June 2024, which will again give rise to articles to be published in an EPJ Plus focus point on Advances and Innovation in Heritage Science.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 9 February 2026. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Focus Point: Best doctoral theses from the Spanish Royal Physics Society (RSEF) in 2023-24
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- Published on 24 November 2025
Guest Editors: Luis Viña, María Luisa Sarsa, Rosa María Benito Zafrilla, Diego Porras Torre, Gastón García
In this special issue of EPJ Plus three articles are included, corresponding to the authors of the PhD thesis awarded by a biannual prize established by the The Spanish Royal Physics Society (“Real Sociedad Española de Física”, RSEF). These awards, announced in the biennial meeting in San Sebastian (Spain) in July 2025, highlight the work of researchers at the beginning of their careers and aim at encouraging others to apply for a thesis award, join the RSEF, and help physics contribute to creating a more educated, tolerant, diverse and resilient society.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 December 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
EPJ Plus Highlight - Investigating charge transport in hybrid nanowires
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- Published on 21 November 2025
Analysis reveals how electron-hole pairs are reflected and transmitted across the interfaces of a hybrid nanowire – featuring alternating sections of a normal conductor and a high-temperature superconductor.
High-temperature superconductors are quickly opening up new possibilities for nanoscale circuits, which are likely to become key building blocks of future quantum technologies. As this research advances, a deep understanding of how electrical currents flow through superconductors dominated by quantum effects is becoming increasingly important.
Through theoretical analysis detailed in EPJ Plus, Francisco Estrella and Linda Reichl at the University of Texas at Austin provide one of the most detailed descriptions to date of how electron-hole pairs behave within hybrid nanowires – made from alternating sections of normally conducting material and a high-temperature superconductor. Their results clarify how hybrid nanowires could become a reliable testbed for fundamental quantum phenomena and could help pave the way for their use in real-world quantum technologies.
EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Tensions in Cosmology from Early to Late Universe: Part II: New Directions in the Light of Observations from the Most Modern Astronomical Facilities
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- Published on 29 October 2025
Guest Editors: Salvatore Capozziello, E. Di Valentino, Vahe G. Gurzadyan
The papers included in this Focus Point collection are devoted to the studies on the cosmological tensions and challenges stimulated by the latest observational data. The first results of the LARES-2 laser ranging satellite on the high precision testing of the frame-dragging effect predicted by General Relativity are presented. The data on the S-stars monitoring in the Galactic center obtained by GRAVITY collaboration were analysed within the Physics-informed neural network (PINN) approach. The results enabled to probe the role of the cosmological constant, of the dark matter, the star cluster in the core of the Galaxy obtaining an upper limit for the star density. The topics include the conversion of high-frequency relic gravitational waves into photons in cosmological magnetic field, cosmological gravitational waves stochastic background generation through the spontaneous breaking of a global baryon number symmetry, observational predictions of the Starobinsky inflation model and other studies.
All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 31 December 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.
