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:Do you expect...

[GrahamCox]

Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma.

WTF metal, insulator and 'magnet' have to do wth it is anyone's guess. Agree, fail.