A supersolid is a phase of matter that has both solid and superfluid properties. A supersolid can flow without resistance like a superfluid, but it also has a regular crystal structure like a solid. The first supersolid was discovered in 2004 by researchers working with ultra-cold atoms.
The existence of supersolids had been predicted theoretically decades earlier, but it was only recently that the necessary technology existed to create them experimentally. In the past few years, there have been several breakthroughs in our understanding of supersolids, including the discovery of new phases and the development of theories to explain their strange behavior.
One of the most surprising things about supersolids is that they can flow without any friction at all. This is becausesupersolids are quantum mechanical objects, and as such they obey the rules of quantum mechanics rather than classical mechanics. In particular, they are described by a wave function which determines their probability of being in any given location. This wave function can spread out over large distances, meaning that there is no single point where the atom is definitely located. As a result, an atom in a supersolid can move through other atoms without feeling any resistance whatsoever!
This unusual property allows for some interesting applications of supersolids. For example, it has been proposed that they could be used to create extremely sensitive gravitational detectors. These detectors would be able to detect very small changes in gravity, such as those caused by dark matter or gravitational waves. Additionally, because they have no friction, supersolids could be used to create extremely efficient bearings and gears with no moving parts!
Despite their many strange and wonderful properties, we still do not fully understand how supersolids work. Many theories have been proposed to explain their behavior, but none of them have yet been conclusively proven correct. This means that there is still much work to be done in order to unlock all the secrets of these fascinating materials!