Time Crystal? By Brian Simpson

     Time crystals? No, I had not hears of them either, before reading this:
  https://www.iqsdirectory.com/resources/time-crystals-a-new-form-of-matter-that-could-change-everything/

“Time crystals are systems of atoms that arrange themselves in time the way more traditional solids crystallize in space. In case your brain isn’t bent enough trying to figure out what that means, the two groups of scientists created radically different structures that both fall under the label “time crystals.” These atomic arrangements are not time travel portals or infinite Rube Goldberg Machines, but rather the advent of a whole new state of matter–independent from the familiar solids, liquids, and gases that comprise our known universe. MIT theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek first proposed the idea of time crystals in 2012, positing that if properties change over time rather than in space that it might create new states of matter. Less than six years later, the two groups of scientists created crystals that seem to possess properties similar to those he proposed.

Physical laws revolve around symmetries, which are moments where an action creates an equal reaction, regardless of the environment. This is basic Newtonian Physics, and one of the foundational laws of how we perceive the universe. A burning log creates a measurable amount of heat based on the amount of available mass, a ball hitting a wall bounces off the wall with the same force it hit it with–minus losses to dissipation, which could be measured in heat. Wilczek wondered if molecules could break traditional time translated symmetry, which  is what regulates the laws responsible for creating crystals. Traditional crystals like salt and quartz are three-dimensional, ordered spatial crystals. Their atoms are arranged in a predictable, repeating system.

Time crystals, on the other hand, are different at the atomic level. Their atoms spin periodically, changing directions as some pulsating force flips them. Quite literally, time crystals “tick” like an old grandfather clock, and their atoms flip at a constant, periodic frequency. But that’s not why they have the name time crystal–the name comes from the fact that the crystals’ atomic structure repeats in time, which is why they seem to oscillate at set frequencies. Time crystals never find equilibrium the way that a diamond or ruby does, so they are now considered one of the few examples of non-equilibrium matter known to scientists.’

     That is all very interesting, but for us, the point of interest must be how the time crystals can increase our standard of living.

“Scientists believe that understanding time crystals and refining our understanding of them will allow breakthroughs in the power and accuracy of atomic clocks, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, as well as further developing how we build potential quantum technologies. The promise of using stable quantum systems at far higher operating temperatures than what we can currently achieve might be the final push needed to make quantum computing a reality–which is a really big deal. The U.S. Department of Defense announced a funding program to investigate more potential applications of time crystals, as quantum computing is one of the most promising technological horizons in the computer age. The discovery of time crystals also requires re-evaluation of some existing theories and understandings as it seems to suggest that there are phases of matter beyond the realm of what we currently understand. There are some potential applications of time crystals that are even more sci fi than their name implies, but unlike many such futuristic-sounding breakthroughs, time crystals already exist in more than one form and have been confirmed in peer-reviewed studies by multiple university research teams.”

     Fine; time crystals are likely to lead to new products and greater consumer enjoyment in our age of leisure, which is all good. Maybe the time crystals might even lead to time travel, by which all of the social problems we presently face may be corrected before they even start. One can only hope.