Engineering a Better Physicist

by Julian White Physics World, June 2006 Physicists have always seen themselves as being one (maybe two) steps removed from the mundane job of translating their work into practical benefits for the good of everybody, including themselves. That is the job of engineers, who are often viewed as technicians to be called upon when needed and shooed away when not. Surprisingly, though, some of the most beautiful results in physics have been obtained by engineers. Physicists must learn to collaborate with engineers, rather than look down their noses at them. Read more