The Science Life Physics

Mayo is weirdly great for understanding nuclear fusion experiments

A schmear campaign aims to understand how materials transition from elastic to plastic behavior 

A spoon scooping mayonnaise out of a jar.

Connoisseurs call it “creamy,” haters call it “slimy,” and mechanical engineers call it a “soft solid.” Mayonnaise could help scientists better design nuclear fusion experiments.

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By Emily Conover

Mayonnaise’s texture inspires love and loathing. Either way, it’s perfect for physics experiments. 

The classic condiment is useful for understanding how materials behave, not only when smeared on sandwiches or plopped in potato salads, but also when deployed in nuclear fusion experiments.