Materials Science

Physicists at New York University have developed a new type of time crystal using sound waves to suspend tiny styrofoam beads, resulting in nonreciprocal interactions that defy Newton's third law of motion. The compact, visible system oscillates in a steady rhythm and was detailed in Physical Review Letters. Researchers suggest potential applications in quantum computing and insights into biological rhythms.

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Scientists at the University of Konstanz have identified a new type of sliding friction that occurs without physical contact, driven by magnetic interactions. This phenomenon breaks Amontons' law, a 300-year-old physics principle, by showing friction peaks at certain distances rather than increasing steadily with load. The findings appear in Nature Materials.

Researchers at BESSY II have experimentally verified that self-assembled phosphorus chains on a silver surface exhibit truly one-dimensional electronic properties. By separating signals from chains aligned in different directions, the team revealed each chain's distinct one-dimensional electron structure. The findings suggest that increasing chain density could shift the material from semiconductor to metal behavior.

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Researchers at EPFL have developed a method to measure the duration of ultrafast quantum events without using an external clock. By analyzing electron spin changes during photoemission, they found that transition times vary significantly based on a material's atomic structure. Simpler structures lead to longer delays, ranging from 26 to over 200 attoseconds.

Engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a novel building material that sequesters carbon dioxide rather than emitting it. The enzymatic structural material, or ESM, cures quickly and offers a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. This innovation could significantly reduce the construction industry's environmental impact.

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Researchers at TU Wien have uncovered a material where electrons no longer act like distinct particles, yet it still exhibits topological properties thought to require such behavior. This discovery in the compound CeRu₄Sn₆ challenges long-held assumptions in quantum physics. The findings suggest topological states are more universal than previously believed.