Scientists Create First Visible Time Crystal
Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have made a groundbreaking discovery by creating the first time crystal that can be seen with the naked eye. Using liquid crystals, the researchers have created structures that move forever in repeating cycles, as predicted by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek's 2012 theory.
The team, led by physicist Zhao Smalyukh, used liquid crystals to create colorful, striped patterns that dance endlessly when illuminated by light. These time crystals are essentially perpetual motion machines, where the components move without any external energy source. Under a microscope, the crystals display mesmerizing patterns, opening up new possibilities for various applications.
"We've created a system that can exhibit perpetual motion," Smalyukh said in an interview. "This is a fundamental concept in physics that has been debated for centuries, and we're thrilled to have made it visible."
The breakthrough builds on Wilczek's theory of time crystals, which proposes that certain materials can move forever in repeating cycles. The researchers used liquid crystals, the same material found in smartphone displays, to create the time crystal. This innovative approach allows scientists to study these structures in unprecedented detail.
Time crystals have significant implications for various fields, including anti-counterfeiting features in money and futuristic methods of storing digital information. The ability to create visible time crystals could also lead to new discoveries in materials science and condensed matter physics.
The research team's findings were published in the journal Nature Materials on September 7, 2025. Smalyukh and his colleagues are now exploring ways to scale up their discovery and apply it to real-world problems.
As researchers continue to study time crystals, they may uncover new secrets about the fundamental nature of matter and energy. The creation of visible time crystals marks a significant milestone in the field of condensed matter physics and paves the way for innovative applications in various industries.
The University of Colorado Boulder's research team is poised to make further breakthroughs in this area, and their work has sparked excitement among scientists worldwide. As the study of time crystals continues to evolve, it may lead to revolutionary discoveries that transform our understanding of the universe.
Background:
Frank Wilczek proposed the concept of time crystals in 2012, sparking a new area of research in condensed matter physics. Since then, scientists have been working to create and study these structures. The University of Colorado Boulder's team has made significant progress in this field by developing a method to create visible time crystals using liquid crystals.
Implications:
The creation of visible time crystals opens up new possibilities for various applications, including:
Anti-counterfeiting features in money
Futuristic methods of storing digital information
New discoveries in materials science and condensed matter physics
As researchers continue to study time crystals, they may uncover new secrets about the fundamental nature of matter and energy.
Next Developments:
The University of Colorado Boulder's research team is now exploring ways to scale up their discovery and apply it to real-world problems. They are also working on developing new methods to create visible time crystals using different materials. As scientists continue to study time crystals, they may uncover new secrets about the universe and lead to revolutionary discoveries that transform our understanding of matter and energy.
*Reporting by Sciencedaily.*
