Normal crystals have an atomic lattice that repeats in space. Time crystals were first proposed in 2012 by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek. Last year physicist Norman Yao suggested that it was possible to have crystals that repeated in time as well. He lay down measurements that would prove that such a crystal was a stable phase of matter.

Two teams of physicists immediately began working on producing a time crystal such as defined by Norman Yao. The team at the University of Maryland made the time crystal using a one-dimensional chain of ytterbium ions. At Harvard University too they were able to construct a time crystal.

Chris Monroe, from University of Maryland, described the full process and means required to construct a time crystal in the journal Physical Review Letters. He also mentioned that the various phases surrounding the time crystal were akin to the liquid and gas phases of ice.

Currently there doesn’t seem to be any practical use of a time crystal, but research into the new concept still continues. As physicists continue their science projects based on time crystals it is only a matter of time before someone comes up with a brilliant way to utilize this new material.