Physicists Uncover Novel Phase of Matter (phys.org)

schwit1 writes: A team of physicists led by Caltech's David Hsieh has discovered an unusual form of matter — not a conventional metal, insulator, or magnet, for example, but something entirely different (abstract). This phase, characterized by an unusual ordering of electrons, offers possibilities for new electronic device functionalities and could hold the solution to a long-standing mystery in condensed matter physics having to do with high-temperature superconductivity — the ability for some materials to conduct electricity without resistance, even at "high" temperatures approaching -100 degrees Celsius. "The discovery of this phase was completely unexpected and not based on any prior theoretical prediction... The whole field of electronic materials is driven by the discovery of new phases, which provide the playgrounds in which to search for new macroscopic physical properties."

Comments

Re:Is the Sentient Universe playing dice with us?

[FatdogHaiku]

Wormholes only exist because the universe ate gas station sushi...
Stupid Universe!

Call Me Simple But

[Anonymous Coward]

I never learned the phases of matter are metal, insulator or magnet. This must be part of some new, fancy education system.

Re:Call Me Simple But

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually as of late, there's a fourth. It's called 3D-printed

Physicists Uncover Novel Phase of Matter

[U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M]

Let me guess... what is something almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea?