Physicists Unveil First-Ever Visible Time Crystal Breakthrough

Weird 'Time Crystals' Made Visible at Last Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have successfully created a time crystal that can be seen with the naked eye, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum matter. The feat, published in Nature Materials on September 4, involved liquid crystals and a technique that harnesses their unique properties to create ripples of twisting molecules. According to Young-Ki Kim, lead researcher on the project, "We were able to create a time crystal by shining light on the liquid crystals, which caused them to twist and ripple in a continuous pattern. This behavior was sustained for hours, even when we changed the conditions." The team's findings demonstrate that time crystals can be created using relatively simple materials and techniques, opening up new avenues for research. Time crystals are a form of matter that exhibits periodic patterns over time, similar to how atoms arrange themselves in space within normal crystals. Until now, examples of time crystals were limited to complex quantum systems. The University of Colorado Boulder team's achievement marks the first time a time crystal has been made visible under certain conditions using liquid crystals. The researchers used bar-shaped molecules with properties between those of a liquid and a solid. By shining light on these molecules, they created ripples that moved for hours, undulating with a distinct beat. This behavior was out of sync with any incoming force, meeting the two defining criteria for a time crystal. Kim notes that while some aspects of liquid crystals' behavior were already known, no one had previously considered whether it could be harnessed to create a time crystal. "This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of quantum matter and its potential applications," he adds. The breakthrough has sparked excitement among physicists, who see the potential for new discoveries in fields such as materials science and condensed matter physics. "Time crystals are a fascinating area of research that could lead to breakthroughs in areas like superconductivity and superfluidity," says Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a physicist at Harvard University. As researchers continue to explore the properties of time crystals, they may uncover new ways to harness their unique behavior for practical applications. The University of Colorado Boulder team's achievement serves as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking in advancing our understanding of the quantum world. Current Status: The research was published in Nature Materials on September 4, 2025. The team is now working to further explore the properties of time crystals and their potential applications. Future studies will focus on scaling up the technique and exploring its implications for various fields. Next Developments: Researchers are eager to build upon this breakthrough and explore new avenues for creating and studying time crystals. As the field continues to evolve, we can expect to see innovative applications emerge from this research. *Reporting by Nature.*