A new, theoretical type of time crystal could run without outside help

Long-range interactions between particles may create a structure that regularly repeats in time

time crystals

Time crystals, a state of matter that repeats itself in time, were first created in 2012. But those materials require prodding from external sources like lasers to produce their rhythmic behavior. Now, scientists have proposed a new type of crystal that would operate free from outside influences.

Panuwat Sikham/iStock/Getty Images Plus

A newly proposed type of time crystal could stand alone.