Weird ‘Time Crystals’ Are Made Visible at Last

image via New Scientist

September 16, 2025, 2:00 PM

• •Time crystals are a state of matter with repeating patterns over time.
• •Physicists used liquid crystals to create a visible time crystal.
• •The time crystal's rhythm is out of sync with external forces.
• •Potential applications include anti-counterfeiting and information storage.
• •The effect can be seen by the naked eye, albeit with less contrast and resolution than with the microscope

Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a time crystal visible to the naked eye using liquid crystals, a feat previously unachievable. This new form of matter exhibits repeating patterns over time, similar to how atoms in a crystal repeat in space. The process involves shining light on liquid crystals, triggering the formation of ripples that maintain a consistent rhythm, even under changing conditions. The potential applications of these time crystals include anti-counterfeit devices and information storage.

Read original article