Scientists Reveal New State of Matter Where Atoms Mimic Solid and Liquid Together
Synopsis
Scientists have discovered a new state of matter called a corralled supercooled liquid where atoms act like both solid and liquid. By using graphene and electron beams to trap molten metals in atomic rings and unlocked materials with unique behaviour
In a breakthrough that reshapes our understanding of materials, researchers have identified a new state of matter known as a corralled supercooled liquid. In this unusual form, atoms behave partly like a solid and partly like a liquid something never seen before.
Normally, atoms in a liquid move freely, constantly shifting like people in a crowd. But scientists found that when metal nanoparticles such as platinum or gold are heated on an atom-thin sheet of graphene, some atoms become trapped at tiny defects. Using targeted electron blasts, researchers were able to freeze even more atoms in place, eventually building a ring of immobile atoms around a droplet of molten metal.
Liquid Metal That Refuses to Freeze
This atomic “corral” stops crystals from forming a key part of the process that turns a liquid into a solid. As a result, the metal remains liquid hundreds of degrees below its normal freezing point. Platinum, for example, stayed molten at around 350°C, more than 1,000°C colder than usual.
When the trapped liquid finally solidifies, it forms an amorphous, glass-like structure instead of the typical crystal lattice. Scientists say this opens a path to creating new types of materials that blend the strength of solids with the mobility of liquids.
A Potential Game-Changer for Catalysts
Because metals like platinum are essential for industrial catalysts, discovering a way to tune their atomic behaviour could transform how catalytic materials are designed. Researchers believe this new state of matter might lead to self-cleaning, longer-lasting catalysts and a deeper understanding of how reactions occur on metal surfaces.
The study, published in ACS Nano, marks a profound step toward engineering matter at the smallest possible scale atom by atom.