Scientists just made the first time crystal you can see (www.colorado.edu)
from Pro@mander.xyz to science@mander.xyz on 08 Sep 09:19
https://mander.xyz/post/37547862

#science

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sexy_peach@feddit.org on 08 Sep 10:23 next collapse

I don’t really understand despite reading the article

systemglitch@lemmy.world on 08 Sep 14:51 collapse

They created something that reacts to the energy created by light. Been done before, but possibly better now. They think it looks cool, it has possible applications in theory only, but nothing practical at this time.

And it looks real cool. Swirls and shit.

SmoothOperator@lemmy.world on 08 Sep 11:34 next collapse

Imagine a clock that doesn’t have electricity, but its hands and gears spin on their own for all eternity.

No, no, no, these crystals still need energy to move. They talk about “all you have to do is shine a light on it”, yes, that adds energy.

Cool results, but yet another failure of science communication.

Taco2112@lemmy.world on 08 Sep 15:22 collapse

Please forgive my ignorance but the quote you used suggests a clock running without electricity. The article never mentioned it running without an energy source.

I have a tenuous grasp of physics so you could definitely be correct. Can someone with more education on this topic answer if photons can act as an electric current in this experiment?

thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works on 08 Sep 17:31 next collapse

in the case of crystals, they vibrate at a fixed frequency and that’s how the clock is driven.

SmoothOperator@lemmy.world on 08 Sep 18:28 collapse

Sure, that makes sense, but it feels like they’re implying “energy” when they say “electricity”.

mateofeo85@lemmy.world on 08 Sep 17:21 collapse

<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4a32137a-dd5b-4928-8338-691a053508ae.gif">