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Beyond solids, liquids, gases, plasma, and other examples only accessible under extreme conditions, scientists are constantly searching for other states of matter. Although newly discovered states tend to be short-lived, a recent experiment transformed a mixture of two materials into a novel state of matter with a much longer lifetime—a supercrystal.

First, a team of researchers stacked layers of lead titanate and strontium titanate to form a structure called a superlattice. Lead titanate is a ferroelectric material, which means it can be electrically polarized, but strontium titanate cannot be polarized by an applied field.

The team then observed vortices, whirlpool-shaped distortions in the superlattice’s crystal structure that resulted from a sort of atomic stalemate called “frustration,” meaning one of the materials interfered with the other’s ability to arrange its atoms into its most stable crystal structure.
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Autonomous drones are cautious when navigating the unknown. They creep forward, frequently mapping unfamiliar areas before proceeding lest they crash into undetected objects. But this slowdown isn’t ideal for drones carrying out time-sensitive tasks, such as flying search-and-rescue missions through dense forests.
Now MIT researchers have developed a trajectory-planning model that helps drones fly at high speeds through previously unexplored areas, while staying safe.
The model — aptly named “FASTER” — estimates the quickest possible path from a starting point to a destination point across all areas the drone can and can’t see, with no regard for safety. But, as the drone flies, the model continuously logs collision-free “back-up” paths that slightly deviate from that fast flight path. When the drone is unsure about a particular area, it detours down the back-up path and replans its path. The drone can thus cruise at high speeds along the quickest trajectory while occasionally slowing down slightly to ensure safety.. . ☝ Follow us to keep yourself updated with the latest tech news 🚀. . .