"Discovery of Electron-Immobile Crystal Baffles Physicists"

Physicists from Rice University have discovered a strange form of crystal, a pyrochlore, where electrons are unable to move freely in a three-dimensional lattice due to quantum interference effects. This phenomenon, previously observed in 2D materials, could lead to the development of new materials with unique electronic properties, potentially shedding light on phenomena such as superconductivity. The discovery provides a new tool for studying unconventional electron behavior and could lead to the identification of materials with similar properties.