Breakthrough 'edge state' in atoms could lead to infinite energy sources

In some materials, electrons attain the superpower of flowing along the edges. New study suggests atoms can also show similar behavior.

Updated: Sep 14, 2024 07:35 AM EST

Rupendra Brahambhatt

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have observed and captured images of a rare “edge state” in ultracold atoms. Using these findings, they can learn to achieve and harness the edge states of electrons in different materials. This breakthrough in the field of quantum physics could lead to the discovery of practically infinite energy sources.

The “edge state” of electrons is a special situation where electrons move along the boundaries or edges of certain materials, rather than through the middle.

“In this rare ‘edge state,’ electrons can flow without friction, gliding effortlessly around obstacles as they stick to their perimeter-focused flow,” the study authors note.

Such frictionless movement of electrons can enable data and energy transfer across devices without any transmission losses, leading to the development of super-efficient electronic circuits and quantum computers.

Capturing the edge state in electrons is not easy
In 1980, a German physicist named Klaus von Klitzing proposed that in certain 2D materials at very low temperatures and under strong magnetic fields, electric current flows along the edges in a quantized manner. This phenomenon is called the quantum hall effect.

More:
https://interestingengineering.com/science/edge-state-lead-to-infinite-energy