diff --git a/lib/network/modules/PhysicsBase.js b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsBase.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..748997e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsBase.js
@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+import BarnesHutSolver                      from './components/physics/BarnesHutSolver';
+import Repulsion                            from './components/physics/RepulsionSolver';
+import HierarchicalRepulsion                from './components/physics/HierarchicalRepulsionSolver';
+import SpringSolver                         from './components/physics/SpringSolver';
+import HierarchicalSpringSolver             from './components/physics/HierarchicalSpringSolver';
+import CentralGravitySolver                 from './components/physics/CentralGravitySolver';
+import ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver      from './components/physics/FA2BasedRepulsionSolver';
+import ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver from './components/physics/FA2BasedCentralGravitySolver';
+
+class PhysicsBase {
+  constructor() {
+    this.physicsBody = {physicsNodeIndices:[], physicsEdgeIndices:[], forces: {}, velocities: {}};
+    this.options = {};
+
+    this.referenceState = {};
+    this.previousStates = {};
+
+    this.startedStabilization = false;
+    this.stabilized = false;
+    this.stabilizationIterations = 0;
+    this.timestep = 0.5;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * configure the engine.
+   */
+  initPhysicsSolvers() {
+    var options;
+    if (this.options.solver === 'forceAtlas2Based') {
+      options = this.options.forceAtlas2Based;
+      this.nodesSolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.gravitySolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+    }
+    else if (this.options.solver === 'repulsion') {
+      options = this.options.repulsion;
+      this.nodesSolver = new Repulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+    }
+    else if (this.options.solver === 'hierarchicalRepulsion') {
+      options = this.options.hierarchicalRepulsion;
+      this.nodesSolver = new HierarchicalRepulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.edgesSolver = new HierarchicalSpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+    }
+    else { // barnesHut
+      options = this.options.barnesHut;
+      this.nodesSolver = new BarnesHutSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
+    }
+
+    this.modelOptions = options;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * A single simulation step (or 'tick') in the physics simulation
+   *
+   * @private
+   */
+  physicsTick() {
+    // this is here to ensure that there is no start event when the network is already stable.
+    if (this.startedStabilization === false) {
+      this.emit('startStabilizing');
+      this.startedStabilization = true;
+    }
+
+    if (this.stabilized === false) {
+      // adaptivity means the timestep adapts to the situation, only applicable for stabilization
+      if (this.adaptiveTimestep === true && this.adaptiveTimestepEnabled === true) {
+        // this is the factor for increasing the timestep on success.
+        let factor = 1.2;
+
+        // we assume the adaptive interval is
+        if (this.adaptiveCounter % this.adaptiveInterval === 0) { // we leave the timestep stable for "interval" iterations.
+          // first the big step and revert. Revert saves the reference state.
+          this.timestep = 2 * this.timestep;
+          this.calculateForces();
+          this.moveNodes();
+          this.revert();
+
+          // now the normal step. Since this is the last step, it is the more stable one and we will take this.
+          this.timestep = 0.5 * this.timestep;
+
+          // since it's half the step, we do it twice.
+          this.calculateForces();
+          this.moveNodes();
+          this.calculateForces();
+          this.moveNodes();
+
+          // we compare the two steps. if it is acceptable we double the step.
+          if (this._evaluateStepQuality() === true) {
+            this.timestep = factor * this.timestep;
+          }
+          else {
+            // if not, we decrease the step to a minimum of the options timestep.
+            // if the decreased timestep is smaller than the options step, we do not reset the counter
+            // we assume that the options timestep is stable enough.
+            if (this.timestep/factor < this.options.timestep) {
+              this.timestep = this.options.timestep;
+            }
+            else {
+              // if the timestep was larger than 2 times the option one we check the adaptivity again to ensure
+              // that large instabilities do not form.
+              this.adaptiveCounter = -1; // check again next iteration
+              this.timestep = Math.max(this.options.timestep, this.timestep/factor);
+            }
+          }
+        }
+        else {
+          // normal step, keeping timestep constant
+          this.calculateForces();
+          this.moveNodes();
+        }
+
+        // increment the counter
+        this.adaptiveCounter += 1;
+      }
+      else {
+        // case for the static timestep, we reset it to the one in options and take a normal step.
+        this.timestep = this.options.timestep;
+        this.calculateForces();
+        this.moveNodes();
+      }
+
+      // determine if the network has stabilzied
+      if (this.stabilized === true) {
+        this.revert();
+      }
+
+      this.stabilizationIterations++;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Revert the simulation one step. This is done so after stabilization, every new start of the simulation will also say stabilized.
+   */
+  revert() {
+    var nodeIds = Object.keys(this.previousStates);
+    var nodes = this.body.nodes;
+    var velocities = this.physicsBody.velocities;
+    this.referenceState = {};
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIds.length; i++) {
+      let nodeId = nodeIds[i];
+      if (nodes[nodeId] !== undefined) {
+        if (this.isWorker || nodes[nodeId].options.physics === true) {
+          this.referenceState[nodeId] = {
+            positions: {x:nodes[nodeId].x, y:nodes[nodeId].y}
+          };
+          velocities[nodeId].x = this.previousStates[nodeId].vx;
+          velocities[nodeId].y = this.previousStates[nodeId].vy;
+          nodes[nodeId].x = this.previousStates[nodeId].x;
+          nodes[nodeId].y = this.previousStates[nodeId].y;
+        }
+      }
+      else {
+        delete this.previousStates[nodeId];
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * This compares the reference state to the current state
+   */
+  _evaluateStepQuality() {
+    let dx, dy, dpos;
+    let nodes = this.body.nodes;
+    let reference = this.referenceState;
+    let posThreshold = 0.3;
+
+    for (let nodeId in this.referenceState) {
+      if (this.referenceState.hasOwnProperty(nodeId) && nodes[nodeId] !== undefined) {
+        dx = nodes[nodeId].x - reference[nodeId].positions.x;
+        dy = nodes[nodeId].y - reference[nodeId].positions.y;
+
+        dpos = Math.sqrt(Math.pow(dx,2) + Math.pow(dy,2))
+
+        if (dpos > posThreshold) {
+          return false;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * move the nodes one timestap and check if they are stabilized
+   * @returns {boolean}
+   */
+  moveNodes() {
+    var nodeIndices = this.physicsBody.physicsNodeIndices;
+    var maxVelocity = this.options.maxVelocity ? this.options.maxVelocity : 1e9;
+    var maxNodeVelocity = 0;
+    var averageNodeVelocity = 0;
+
+    // the velocity threshold (energy in the system) for the adaptivity toggle
+    var velocityAdaptiveThreshold = 5;
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIndices.length; i++) {
+      let nodeId = nodeIndices[i];
+      let nodeVelocity = this._performStep(nodeId, maxVelocity);
+      // stabilized is true if stabilized is true and velocity is smaller than vmin --> all nodes must be stabilized
+      maxNodeVelocity = Math.max(maxNodeVelocity,nodeVelocity);
+      averageNodeVelocity += nodeVelocity;
+    }
+
+    // evaluating the stabilized and adaptiveTimestepEnabled conditions
+    this.adaptiveTimestepEnabled = (averageNodeVelocity/nodeIndices.length) < velocityAdaptiveThreshold;
+    this.stabilized = maxNodeVelocity < this.options.minVelocity;
+  }
+
+  // TODO consider moving _performStep in here
+  // right now Physics nodes don't have setX setY functions
+  //   - maybe switch logic of setX and set x?
+  //   - add functions to physics nodes - seems not desirable
+
+  /**
+   * calculate the forces for one physics iteration.
+   */
+  calculateForces() {
+    this.gravitySolver.solve();
+    this.nodesSolver.solve();
+    this.edgesSolver.solve();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * One batch of stabilization
+   * @private
+   */
+  _stabilizationBatch() {
+    // this is here to ensure that there is at least one start event.
+    if (this.startedStabilization === false) {
+      this.emit('startStabilizing');
+      this.startedStabilization = true;
+    }
+
+    var count = 0;
+    while (this.stabilized === false && count < this.options.stabilization.updateInterval && this.stabilizationIterations < this.targetIterations) {
+      this.physicsTick();
+      count++;
+    }
+
+    if (this.stabilized === false && this.stabilizationIterations < this.targetIterations) {
+      this.emit('stabilizationProgress', {iterations: this.stabilizationIterations, total: this.targetIterations});
+      setTimeout(this._stabilizationBatch.bind(this),0);
+    }
+    else {
+      this._finalizeStabilization();
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+export default PhysicsBase;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/network/modules/PhysicsEngine.js b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsEngine.js
index cc3fa775..9ddb7b75 100644
--- a/lib/network/modules/PhysicsEngine.js
+++ b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsEngine.js
@@ -1,26 +1,17 @@
-import BarnesHutSolver                      from './components/physics/BarnesHutSolver';
-import Repulsion                            from './components/physics/RepulsionSolver';
-import HierarchicalRepulsion                from './components/physics/HierarchicalRepulsionSolver';
-import SpringSolver                         from './components/physics/SpringSolver';
-import HierarchicalSpringSolver             from './components/physics/HierarchicalSpringSolver';
-import CentralGravitySolver                 from './components/physics/CentralGravitySolver';
-import ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver      from './components/physics/FA2BasedRepulsionSolver';
-import ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver from './components/physics/FA2BasedCentralGravitySolver';
+import PhysicsBase                          from './PhysicsBase';
 import PhysicsWorker                        from 'worker!./PhysicsWorkerWrapper';
 
 var util = require('../../util');
 
 
-class PhysicsEngine {
+class PhysicsEngine extends PhysicsBase {
   constructor(body) {
+    super();
     this.body = body;
-    this.physicsBody = {physicsNodeIndices:[], physicsEdgeIndices:[], forces: {}, velocities: {}};
 
     this.physicsEnabled = true;
     this.simulationInterval = 1000 / 60;
     this.requiresTimeout = true;
-    this.previousStates = {};
-    this.referenceState = {};
     this.freezeCache = {};
     this.renderTimer = undefined;
 
@@ -30,13 +21,9 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     this.adaptiveCounter = 0;
     this.adaptiveInterval = 3;
 
-    this.stabilized = false;
-    this.startedStabilization = false;
-    this.stabilizationIterations = 0;
     this.ready = false; // will be set to true if the stabilize
 
     // default options
-    this.options = {};
     this.defaultOptions = {
       enabled: true,
       useWorker: false,
@@ -87,11 +74,11 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
       adaptiveTimestep: true
     };
     util.extend(this.options, this.defaultOptions);
-    this.timestep = 0.5;
     this.layoutFailed = false;
     this.draggingNodes = [];
     this.positionUpdateHandler = () => {};
     this.physicsUpdateHandler = () => {};
+    this.emit = this.body.emitter.emit;
 
     this.bindEventListeners();
   }
@@ -185,37 +172,12 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
       this.physicsWorker = undefined;
       this.initPhysicsData();
     }
-    var options;
-    if (this.options.solver === 'forceAtlas2Based') {
-      options = this.options.forceAtlas2Based;
-      this.nodesSolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else if (this.options.solver === 'repulsion') {
-      options = this.options.repulsion;
-      this.nodesSolver = new Repulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else if (this.options.solver === 'hierarchicalRepulsion') {
-      options = this.options.hierarchicalRepulsion;
-      this.nodesSolver = new HierarchicalRepulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new HierarchicalSpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else { // barnesHut
-      options = this.options.barnesHut;
-      this.nodesSolver = new BarnesHutSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-
-    this.modelOptions = options;
+    this.initPhysicsSolvers();
   }
 
   initPhysicsWorker() {
     if (!this.physicsWorker) {
+      // setup path to webworker javascript file
       if (!__webpack_public_path__) {
         let parentScript = document.getElementById('visjs');
         if (parentScript) {
@@ -236,6 +198,7 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
           }
         }
       }
+      // launch webworker
       this.physicsWorker = new PhysicsWorker();
       this.physicsWorker.addEventListener('message', (event) => {
         this.physicsWorkerMessageHandler(event);
@@ -249,41 +212,45 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
         this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'updatePositions', data: positions});
       };
       this.physicsUpdateHandler = (properties) => {
-        if (properties.options.physics !== undefined) {
-          if (properties.options.physics) {
-            let data = {
-              nodes: {},
-              edges: {}
-            };
-            if (properties.type === 'node') {
-              data.nodes[properties.id] = this.createPhysicsNode(properties.id);
-            } else if (properties.type === 'edge') {
-              data.edges[properties.id] = this.createPhysicsEdge(properties.id);
-            } else {
-              console.warn('invalid element type');
-            }
-            this.physicsWorker.postMessage({
-              type: 'addElements',
-              data: data
-            });
-          } else {
-            let data = {
-              nodeIds: [],
-              edgeIds: []
-            };
-            if (properties.type === 'node') {
-              data.nodeIds = [properties.id.toString()];
-            } else if (properties.type === 'edge') {
-              data.edgeIds = [properties.id.toString()];
-            } else {
-              console.warn('invalid element type');
-            }
-            this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'removeElements', data: data});
-          }
+        this._physicsUpdateHandler(properties);
+      };
+    }
+  }
+
+  _physicsUpdateHandler(properties) {
+    if (properties.options.physics !== undefined) {
+      if (properties.options.physics) {
+        let data = {
+          nodes: {},
+          edges: {}
+        };
+        if (properties.type === 'node') {
+          data.nodes[properties.id] = this.createPhysicsNode(properties.id);
+        } else if (properties.type === 'edge') {
+          data.edges[properties.id] = this.createPhysicsEdge(properties.id);
         } else {
-          this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'updateProperties', data: properties});
+          console.warn('invalid element type');
         }
-      };
+        this.physicsWorker.postMessage({
+          type: 'addElements',
+          data: data
+        });
+      } else {
+        let data = {
+          nodeIds: [],
+          edgeIds: []
+        };
+        if (properties.type === 'node') {
+          data.nodeIds = [properties.id.toString()];
+        } else if (properties.type === 'edge') {
+          data.edgeIds = [properties.id.toString()];
+        } else {
+          console.warn('invalid element type');
+        }
+        this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'removeElements', data: data});
+      }
+    } else {
+      this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'updateProperties', data: properties});
     }
   }
 
@@ -292,26 +259,36 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     switch (msg.type) {
       case 'positions':
         this.stabilized = msg.data.stabilized;
-        var positions = msg.data.positions;
-        for (let i = 0; i < this.draggingNodes.length; i++) {
-          delete positions[this.draggingNodes[i]];
-        }
-        let nodeIds = Object.keys(positions);
-        for (let i = 0; i < nodeIds.length; i++) {
-          let nodeId = nodeIds[i];
-          let node = this.body.nodes[nodeId];
-          // handle case where we get a positions from an old physicsObject
-          if (node) {
-            node.setX(positions[nodeId].x);
-            node.setY(positions[nodeId].y);
-          }
-        }
+        this._receivedPositions(msg.data.positions);
+        break;
+      case 'finalizeStabilization':
+        this.stabilizationIterations = msg.data.stabilizationIterations;
+        this._finalizeStabilization();
+        break;
+      case 'emit':
+        this.emit(msg.data.event, msg.data.data);
         break;
       default:
         console.warn('unhandled physics worker message:', msg);
     }
   }
 
+  _receivedPositions(positions) {
+    for (let i = 0; i < this.draggingNodes.length; i++) {
+      delete positions[this.draggingNodes[i]];
+    }
+    let nodeIds = Object.keys(positions);
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIds.length; i++) {
+      let nodeId = nodeIds[i];
+      let node = this.body.nodes[nodeId];
+      // handle case where we get a positions from an old physicsObject
+      if (node) {
+        node.setX(positions[nodeId].x);
+        node.setY(positions[nodeId].y);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * initialize the engine
    */
@@ -380,17 +357,21 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
    *
    */
   simulationStep() {
-    // check if the physics have settled
-    var startTime = Date.now();
-    this.physicsTick();
-    var physicsTime = Date.now() - startTime;
-
-    // run double speed if it is a little graph
-    if ((physicsTime < 0.4 * this.simulationInterval || this.runDoubleSpeed === true) && this.stabilized === false) {
+    if (this.physicsWorker) {
+      this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'physicsTick'});
+    } else {
+      // check if the physics have settled
+      var startTime = Date.now();
       this.physicsTick();
+      var physicsTime = Date.now() - startTime;
+
+      // run double speed if it is a little graph
+      if ((physicsTime < 0.4 * this.simulationInterval || this.runDoubleSpeed === true) && this.stabilized === false) {
+        this.physicsTick();
 
-      // this makes sure there is no jitter. The decision is taken once to run it at double speed.
-      this.runDoubleSpeed = true;
+        // this makes sure there is no jitter. The decision is taken once to run it at double speed.
+        this.runDoubleSpeed = true;
+      }
     }
 
     if (this.stabilized === true) {
@@ -398,7 +379,7 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     }
   }
 
-
+  // TODO determine when startedStabilization needs to be propogated from the worker
   /**
    * trigger the stabilized event.
    * @private
@@ -413,90 +394,6 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * A single simulation step (or 'tick') in the physics simulation
-   *
-   * @private
-   */
-  physicsTick() {
-    // this is here to ensure that there is no start event when the network is already stable.
-    if (this.startedStabilization === false) {
-      this.body.emitter.emit('startStabilizing');
-      this.startedStabilization = true;
-    }
-
-    if (this.stabilized === false) {
-      // adaptivity means the timestep adapts to the situation, only applicable for stabilization
-      if (this.adaptiveTimestep === true && this.adaptiveTimestepEnabled === true) {
-        // this is the factor for increasing the timestep on success.
-        let factor = 1.2;
-
-        // we assume the adaptive interval is
-        if (this.adaptiveCounter % this.adaptiveInterval === 0) { // we leave the timestep stable for "interval" iterations.
-          // first the big step and revert. Revert saves the reference state.
-          this.timestep = 2 * this.timestep;
-          this.calculateForces();
-          this.moveNodes();
-          this.revert();
-
-          // now the normal step. Since this is the last step, it is the more stable one and we will take this.
-          this.timestep = 0.5 * this.timestep;
-
-          // since it's half the step, we do it twice.
-          this.calculateForces();
-          this.moveNodes();
-          this.calculateForces();
-          this.moveNodes();
-
-          // we compare the two steps. if it is acceptable we double the step.
-          if (this._evaluateStepQuality() === true) {
-            this.timestep = factor * this.timestep;
-          }
-          else {
-            // if not, we decrease the step to a minimum of the options timestep.
-            // if the decreased timestep is smaller than the options step, we do not reset the counter
-            // we assume that the options timestep is stable enough.
-            if (this.timestep/factor < this.options.timestep) {
-              this.timestep = this.options.timestep;
-            }
-            else {
-              // if the timestep was larger than 2 times the option one we check the adaptivity again to ensure
-              // that large instabilities do not form.
-              this.adaptiveCounter = -1; // check again next iteration
-              this.timestep = Math.max(this.options.timestep, this.timestep/factor);
-            }
-          }
-        }
-        else {
-          // normal step, keeping timestep constant
-          this.calculateForces();
-          this.moveNodes();
-        }
-
-        // increment the counter
-        this.adaptiveCounter += 1;
-      }
-      else {
-        // case for the static timestep, we reset it to the one in options and take a normal step.
-        this.timestep = this.options.timestep;
-        if (this.physicsWorker) {
-          // console.log('asking working to do a physics iteration');
-          this.physicsWorker.postMessage({type: 'physicsTick'});
-        } else {
-          this.calculateForces();
-          this.moveNodes();
-        }
-      }
-
-      // determine if the network has stabilzied
-      if (this.stabilized === true) {
-        this.revert();
-      }
-
-      this.stabilizationIterations++;
-    }
-  }
-
   createPhysicsNode(nodeId) {
     let node = this.body.nodes[nodeId];
     if (node) {
@@ -504,6 +401,10 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
         id: node.id.toString(),
         x: node.x,
         y: node.y,
+        // TODO update on change
+        edges: {
+          length: node.edges.length
+        },
         options: {
           fixed: {
             x: node.options.fixed.x,
@@ -609,85 +510,6 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Revert the simulation one step. This is done so after stabilization, every new start of the simulation will also say stabilized.
-   */
-  revert() {
-    var nodeIds = Object.keys(this.previousStates);
-    var nodes = this.body.nodes;
-    var velocities = this.physicsBody.velocities;
-    this.referenceState = {};
-
-    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIds.length; i++) {
-      let nodeId = nodeIds[i];
-      if (nodes[nodeId] !== undefined) {
-        if (nodes[nodeId].options.physics === true) {
-          this.referenceState[nodeId] = {
-            positions: {x:nodes[nodeId].x, y:nodes[nodeId].y}
-          };
-          velocities[nodeId].x = this.previousStates[nodeId].vx;
-          velocities[nodeId].y = this.previousStates[nodeId].vy;
-          nodes[nodeId].x = this.previousStates[nodeId].x;
-          nodes[nodeId].y = this.previousStates[nodeId].y;
-        }
-      }
-      else {
-        delete this.previousStates[nodeId];
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * This compares the reference state to the current state
-   */
-  _evaluateStepQuality() {
-    let dx, dy, dpos;
-    let nodes = this.body.nodes;
-    let reference = this.referenceState;
-    let posThreshold = 0.3;
-
-    for (let nodeId in this.referenceState) {
-      if (this.referenceState.hasOwnProperty(nodeId) && nodes[nodeId] !== undefined) {
-        dx = nodes[nodeId].x - reference[nodeId].positions.x;
-        dy = nodes[nodeId].y - reference[nodeId].positions.y;
-
-        dpos = Math.sqrt(Math.pow(dx,2) + Math.pow(dy,2))
-
-        if (dpos > posThreshold) {
-          return false;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * move the nodes one timestap and check if they are stabilized
-   * @returns {boolean}
-   */
-  moveNodes() {
-    var nodeIndices = this.physicsBody.physicsNodeIndices;
-    var maxVelocity = this.options.maxVelocity ? this.options.maxVelocity : 1e9;
-    var maxNodeVelocity = 0;
-    var averageNodeVelocity = 0;
-
-    // the velocity threshold (energy in the system) for the adaptivity toggle
-    var velocityAdaptiveThreshold = 5;
-
-    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIndices.length; i++) {
-      let nodeId = nodeIndices[i];
-      let nodeVelocity = this._performStep(nodeId, maxVelocity);
-      // stabilized is true if stabilized is true and velocity is smaller than vmin --> all nodes must be stabilized
-      maxNodeVelocity = Math.max(maxNodeVelocity,nodeVelocity);
-      averageNodeVelocity += nodeVelocity;
-    }
-
-    // evaluating the stabilized and adaptiveTimestepEnabled conditions
-    this.adaptiveTimestepEnabled = (averageNodeVelocity/nodeIndices.length) < velocityAdaptiveThreshold;
-    this.stabilized = maxNodeVelocity < this.options.minVelocity;
-  }
-
-
   /**
    * Perform the actual step
    *
@@ -733,18 +555,6 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     return totalVelocity;
   }
 
-
-  /**
-   * calculate the forces for one physics iteration.
-   */
-  calculateForces() {
-    this.gravitySolver.solve();
-    this.nodesSolver.solve();
-    this.edgesSolver.solve();
-  }
-
-
-
   /**
    * When initializing and stabilizing, we can freeze nodes with a predefined position. This greatly speeds up stabilization
    * because only the supportnodes for the smoothCurves have to settle.
@@ -804,7 +614,7 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     // stop the render loop
     this.stopSimulation();
 
-    // set stabilze to false
+    // set stabilize to false
     this.stabilized = false;
 
     // block redraw requests
@@ -817,37 +627,18 @@ class PhysicsEngine {
     }
     this.stabilizationIterations = 0;
 
-    setTimeout(() => this._stabilizationBatch(),0);
-  }
-
-
-  /**
-   * One batch of stabilization
-   * @private
-   */
-  _stabilizationBatch() {
-    // this is here to ensure that there is at least one start event.
-    if (this.startedStabilization === false) {
-      this.body.emitter.emit('startStabilizing');
-      this.startedStabilization = true;
-    }
-
-    var count = 0;
-    while (this.stabilized === false && count < this.options.stabilization.updateInterval && this.stabilizationIterations < this.targetIterations) {
-      this.physicsTick();
-      count++;
-    }
-
-    if (this.stabilized === false && this.stabilizationIterations < this.targetIterations) {
-      this.body.emitter.emit('stabilizationProgress', {iterations: this.stabilizationIterations, total: this.targetIterations});
-      setTimeout(this._stabilizationBatch.bind(this),0);
-    }
-    else {
-      this._finalizeStabilization();
+    if (this.physicsWorker) {
+      this.physicsWorker.postMessage({
+        type: 'stabilization',
+        data: {
+          targetIterations: iterations
+        }
+      });
+    } else {
+      setTimeout(() => this._stabilizationBatch(), 0);
     }
   }
 
-
   /**
    * Wrap up the stabilization, fit and emit the events.
    * @private
diff --git a/lib/network/modules/PhysicsWorker.js b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsWorker.js
index dc8fd72a..d21812ca 100644
--- a/lib/network/modules/PhysicsWorker.js
+++ b/lib/network/modules/PhysicsWorker.js
@@ -1,29 +1,21 @@
-import BarnesHutSolver                      from './components/physics/BarnesHutSolver';
-import Repulsion                            from './components/physics/RepulsionSolver';
-import HierarchicalRepulsion                from './components/physics/HierarchicalRepulsionSolver';
-import SpringSolver                         from './components/physics/SpringSolver';
-import HierarchicalSpringSolver             from './components/physics/HierarchicalSpringSolver';
-import CentralGravitySolver                 from './components/physics/CentralGravitySolver';
-import ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver      from './components/physics/FA2BasedRepulsionSolver';
-import ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver from './components/physics/FA2BasedCentralGravitySolver';
+import PhysicsBase                          from './PhysicsBase';
 
-class PhysicsWorker {
+class PhysicsWorker extends PhysicsBase {
   constructor(postMessage) {
+    super();
     this.body = {
       nodes: {},
       edges: {}
     };
-    this.physicsBody = {physicsNodeIndices:[], physicsEdgeIndices:[], forces: {}, velocities: {}};
     this.postMessage = postMessage;
-    this.options = {};
-    this.stabilized = false;
     this.previousStates = {};
-    this.positions = {};
-    this.timestep = 0.5;
     this.toRemove = {
       nodeIds: [],
       edgeIds: []
     };
+    this.physicsTimeout = null;
+    this.isWorker = true;
+    this.emit = (event, data) => {this.postMessage({type: 'emit', data: {event: event, data: data}})};
   }
 
   handleMessage(event) {
@@ -31,15 +23,10 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
     switch (msg.type) {
       case 'physicsTick':
         this.physicsTick();
+        this.sendPositions();
         break;
       case 'updatePositions':
-        let updatedNode = this.body.nodes[msg.data.id];
-        if (updatedNode) {
-          updatedNode.x = msg.data.x;
-          updatedNode.y = msg.data.y;
-          this.physicsBody.forces[updatedNode.id] = {x: 0, y: 0};
-          this.physicsBody.velocities[updatedNode.id] = {x: 0, y: 0};
-        }
+        this.receivePositions(msg.data);
         break;
       case 'updateProperties':
         this.updateProperties(msg.data);
@@ -48,73 +35,78 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
         this.addElements(msg.data);
         break;
       case 'removeElements':
-        // schedule removal of elements on the next physicsTick
-        // avoids having to defensively check every node read in each physics implementation
-        this.toRemove.nodeIds.push.apply(this.toRemove.nodeIds, msg.data.nodeIds);
-        this.toRemove.edgeIds.push.apply(this.toRemove.edgeIds, msg.data.edgeIds);
+        this.removeElements(msg.data);
+        break;
+      case 'stabilization':
+        this.stabilize(msg.data);
         break;
       case 'initPhysicsData':
+        console.debug('init physics data');
         this.initPhysicsData(msg.data);
         break;
       case 'options':
         this.options = msg.data;
         this.timestep = this.options.timestep;
-        this.init();
+        this.initPhysicsSolvers();
         break;
       default:
         console.warn('unknown message from PhysicsEngine', msg);
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * configure the engine.
-   */
-  init() {
-    var options;
-    if (this.options.solver === 'forceAtlas2Based') {
-      options = this.options.forceAtlas2Based;
-      this.nodesSolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedRepulsionSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new ForceAtlas2BasedCentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else if (this.options.solver === 'repulsion') {
-      options = this.options.repulsion;
-      this.nodesSolver = new Repulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else if (this.options.solver === 'hierarchicalRepulsion') {
-      options = this.options.hierarchicalRepulsion;
-      this.nodesSolver = new HierarchicalRepulsion(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new HierarchicalSpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-    else { // barnesHut
-      options = this.options.barnesHut;
-      this.nodesSolver = new BarnesHutSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.edgesSolver = new SpringSolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-      this.gravitySolver = new CentralGravitySolver(this.body, this.physicsBody, options);
-    }
-
-    this.modelOptions = options;
-  }
+//  physicsTick() {
+//    if(this.physicsTimeout) {
+//      // cancel any outstanding requests to prevent manipulation of data while iterating
+//      // and we're going to handle it next anyways.
+//      clearTimeout(this.physicsTimeout);
+//    }
+//    this.processRemovals();
+//    if (this.options.enabled) {
+//      this.calculateForces();
+//      this.moveNodes();
+//      // Handle the case where physics was enabled, data was removed
+//      // but this physics tick was longer than the timeout and during that delta
+//      // physics was disabled.
+//      this.processRemovals();
+//    }
+//    this.stabilizationIterations++;
+//  }
 
-  physicsTick() {
-    this.processRemovals();
-    this.calculateForces();
-    this.moveNodes();
-    for (let i = 0; i < this.toRemove.nodeIds.length; i++) {
-      delete this.positions[this.toRemove.nodeIds[i]];
+  sendPositions() {
+    let nodeIndices = this.physicsBody.physicsNodeIndices;
+    let positions = {};
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIndices.length; i++) {
+      let nodeId = nodeIndices[i];
+      let node = this.body.nodes[nodeId];
+      positions[nodeId] = {x:node.x, y:node.y};
     }
+
     this.postMessage({
       type: 'positions',
       data: {
-        positions: this.positions,
+        positions: positions,
         stabilized: this.stabilized
       }
     });
   }
 
+  receivePositions(data) {
+    let updatedNode = this.body.nodes[data.id];
+    if (updatedNode) {
+      updatedNode.x = data.x;
+      updatedNode.y = data.y;
+      this.physicsBody.forces[updatedNode.id] = {x: 0, y: 0};
+      this.physicsBody.velocities[updatedNode.id] = {x: 0, y: 0};
+    }
+  }
+
+  stabilize(data) {
+    this.stabilized = false;
+    this.targetIterations = data.targetIterations;
+    this.stabilizationIterations = 0;
+    setTimeout(() => this._stabilizationBatch(), 0);
+  }
+
   updateProperties(data) {
     if (data.type === 'node') {
       let optionsNode = this.body.nodes[data.id];
@@ -157,10 +149,6 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
       if (replaceElements) {
         this.body.nodes[nodeId] = newNode;
       }
-      this.positions[nodeId] = {
-        x: newNode.x,
-        y: newNode.y
-      };
       this.physicsBody.forces[nodeId] = {x: 0, y: 0};
       // forces can be reset because they are recalculated. Velocities have to persist.
       if (this.physicsBody.velocities[nodeId] === undefined) {
@@ -182,6 +170,25 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
     }
   }
 
+  removeElements(data) {
+    // schedule removal of elements on the next physicsTick
+    // avoids having to defensively check every node read in each physics implementation
+    this.toRemove.nodeIds.push.apply(this.toRemove.nodeIds, data.nodeIds);
+    this.toRemove.edgeIds.push.apply(this.toRemove.edgeIds, data.edgeIds);
+    // Handle case where physics is disabled.
+    if(this.physicsTimeout) {
+      // don't schedule more than one physicsTick
+      clearTimeout(this.physicsTimeout);
+    }
+    this.physicsTimeout = setTimeout(()=> {
+      // if physics is still enabled, the next tick will handle removeElements
+      if (!this.options.enabled) {
+        this.physicsTimeout = null;
+        this.physicsTick();
+      }
+    }, 250);
+  }
+
   processRemovals() {
     while (this.toRemove.nodeIds.length > 0) {
       let nodeId = this.toRemove.nodeIds.pop();
@@ -191,7 +198,6 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
       }
       delete this.physicsBody.forces[nodeId];
       delete this.physicsBody.velocities[nodeId];
-      delete this.positions[nodeId];
       delete this.body.nodes[nodeId];
     }
     while (this.toRemove.edgeIds.length > 0) {
@@ -204,16 +210,10 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Nodes and edges can have the physics toggles on or off. A collection of indices is created here so we can skip the check all the time.
-   *
-   * @private
-   */
   initPhysicsData(data) {
     this.physicsBody.forces = {};
     this.physicsBody.physicsNodeIndices = [];
     this.physicsBody.physicsEdgeIndices = [];
-    this.positions = {};
 
     this.body.nodes = data.nodes;
     this.body.edges = data.edges;
@@ -227,26 +227,6 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * move the nodes one timestap and check if they are stabilized
-   * @returns {boolean}
-   */
-  moveNodes() {
-    var nodeIndices = this.physicsBody.physicsNodeIndices;
-    var maxVelocity = this.options.maxVelocity ? this.options.maxVelocity : 1e9;
-    var maxNodeVelocity = 0;
-
-    for (let i = 0; i < nodeIndices.length; i++) {
-      let nodeId = nodeIndices[i];
-      let nodeVelocity = this._performStep(nodeId, maxVelocity);
-      // stabilized is true if stabilized is true and velocity is smaller than vmin --> all nodes must be stabilized
-      maxNodeVelocity = Math.max(maxNodeVelocity,nodeVelocity);
-    }
-
-    // evaluating the stabilized and adaptiveTimestepEnabled conditions
-    this.stabilized = maxNodeVelocity < this.options.minVelocity;
-  }
-
   /**
    * Perform the actual step
    *
@@ -275,7 +255,6 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
       forces[nodeId].x = 0;
       velocities[nodeId].x = 0;
     }
-    this.positions[nodeId].x = node.x;
 
     if (node.options.fixed.y === false) {
       let dy   = this.modelOptions.damping * velocities[nodeId].y;    // damping force
@@ -288,19 +267,19 @@ class PhysicsWorker {
       forces[nodeId].y = 0;
       velocities[nodeId].y = 0;
     }
-    this.positions[nodeId].y = node.y;
 
     let totalVelocity = Math.sqrt(Math.pow(velocities[nodeId].x,2) + Math.pow(velocities[nodeId].y,2));
     return totalVelocity;
   }
 
-  /**
-   * calculate the forces for one physics iteration.
-   */
-  calculateForces() {
-    this.gravitySolver.solve();
-    this.nodesSolver.solve();
-    this.edgesSolver.solve();
+  _finalizeStabilization() {
+    this.sendPositions();
+    this.postMessage({
+      type: 'finalizeStabilization',
+      data: {
+        stabilizationIterations: this.stabilizationIterations
+      }
+    });
   }
 }