Originally posted by Blackmarketeer
New kind of magnetism discovered: Experiments demonstrate 'quantum spin liquid'
(phys.org)

Following up on earlier theoretical predictions, MIT researchers have now demonstrated experimentally the existence of a fundamentally new kind of magnetic behavior, adding to the two previously known states of magnetism.

"We're showing that there is a third fundamental state for magnetism," says MIT professor of physics Young Lee. The experimental work showing the existence of this new state, called a quantum spin liquid (QSL), is reported this week in the journal Nature, with Lee as the senior author and Tianheng Han, who earned his PhD in physics at MIT earlier this year, as lead author.

The QSL is a solid crystal, but its magnetic state is described as liquid: Unlike the other two kinds of magnetism, the magnetic orientations of the individual particles within it fluctuate constantly, resembling the constant motion of molecules within a true liquid.

There's a second article on this topic at Phys.org as well;

For newly discovered 'quantum spin liquid', the beauty is in its simplicity

(Phys.org)—A research team including scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has confirmed long-standing suspicions among physicists that electrons in a crystalline structure called a kagome (kah-go-may) lattice can form a "spin liquid," a novel quantum state of matter in which the electrons' magnetic orientation remains in a constant state of change.

See also:
MIT discovers a new state of matter, a new kind of magnetism
(extremetech.com)

New Kind of Magnetism Discovered: Experiments Demonstrate ‘quantum Spin Liquid'
(sciencedaily.com)

These 'strong interactions (between electrons of this newly created crystal matter) allow for long-range quantum entanglement' (according to Lee), which is where two electrons (an entangled pair) will vibrate in concert even when separated across large distances - as I read it, particles on one side of the crystal affected the magnetic moment of particles on the other side instantaneously, and always in a state of flux. Always a bit interesting when a 'new fundamental state' of anything is discovered, even if it's largely academic.

Originally posted by Blackmarketeer
reply to post by rickymouse

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Good catch, like that link better than the topic itself, lol - at least it's more practical to me. Something like that would be extremely useful not only for survival/prepper reasons but just to cut the umbilical cord to utilities. I have a few hand-cranked flashlights/radios but something that can go for a half-hour with minimal fuss is gold to me.

Originally posted by Blackmarketeer
reply to post by Raelsatu

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It definitely has uses right out of 'Star Trek', but no doubt it's much too premature for that sort of speculation.

I'm still fascinated by what they claim is happening here - in my layperson's view, it's a solid piece of matter (the crystal) yet the magnetic properties are as if it were a liquid, like say a liquid metal, and changes within this magnetic field can be instantaneous between separate parts. Dunno what the implications of all that are, but sounds cool...