Speculative Fact #341: Time Crystals and Mcguffins

Matter is much more complex than the gas, liquids, and solids we were taught about in school. In the laboratory, scientists have gone beyond plasma, supersolids, and Bose-Einstein condensates to explore forms of matter predicted by theoretical physics.
            While most matter is in equilibrium with its surroundings, a team of researchers at the University of California believe they have found a candidate for non-equilibrium matter: time crystals. These curious crystals oscillate not just in space but in time. They appear to exhibit motion, even at their lowest energy state, like tiny perpetual motion machines. While the theories behind the concept are abstract, there are already suggestions that time crystals could be used in quantum computing.  This may also open the door for discussion about other theoretical forms of matter like Rydberg molecules and photonic matter.
            Sometimes, speculative fiction makes use of exotic materials with mysterious or amazing properties. These materials are given funny or derisive names like unobtainium or handwavium because they often seem contrived or convenient depending on the needs of the story. Marvel’s Adamantium, Star Trek’s dilithium crystals, and the element naquadah in the Stargate television series are prime examples, but there are many others both in popular media and literature. The geriatric spice melange in Frank Herbert’s Dune series are so tightly bound to the main plot and premise that the story would fall apart without its presence.
            Perhaps your story requires some sort of mcguffic with unusual properties. Perhaps brave explorers travel the galaxy to get this “stuff” the same way bold fur traders traveled across the wide expanse of the territories of the United States (which helped to settle it). Maybe the “bad guys” need it for a super weapon and the heroes need to stop them.

Jonathan Hernandez

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