Scientists Discover 'Time Crystals' That Defy Newton's Third Law

Researchers from New York University have created a new type of 'time crystal' that levitates on a cushion of sound, defying the laws of classical physics.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Researchers from New York University have discovered a new type of 'time crystal' that defies Newton's Third Law of Motion. These time crystals consist of levitating styrofoam beads that interact with each other through scattered sound waves, resulting in unbalanced, nonreciprocal movements that are not constrained by the principle of equal and opposite reactions. The discovery could offer insights into biological processes like circadian rhythms.

Why it matters

Time crystals are a novel state of matter that could have practical applications in data storage and quantum computing. This new discovery of time crystals that defy Newton's Third Law expands our understanding of the various forms these quantum systems can take, and suggests there may be other natural phenomena, like biological processes, that also involve nonreciprocal interactions.

The details

The time crystals created by the NYU researchers consist of styrofoam beads levitating between two arrays of speakers. The beads interact through scattered sound waves, with larger beads influencing smaller ones more due to increased sound scattering. This results in unbalanced, nonreciprocal movements that are not constrained by Newton's Third Law of equal and opposite reactions.

  • The time crystals were discovered in 2026 by researchers at New York University.

The players

David Grier

A physicist at New York University and a co-author of the paper describing the new time crystals.

Mia Morrell

A physicist at New York University and a co-author of the paper describing the new time crystals.

Frank Wilczek

A Nobel Prize-winning physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who first proposed the concept of time crystals in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“Time crystals are fascinating not only because of the possibilities, but also because they seem so exotic and complicated.”

— David Grier, Physicist, New York University (Newsweek)

“Our system is remarkable because it's incredibly simple.”

— David Grier, Physicist, New York University (Newsweek)

“Sound waves exert forces on particles—just like waves on the surface of a pond can exert forces on a floating leaf. We can levitate objects against gravity by immersing them in a sound field called a standing wave.”

— Mia Morrell, Physicist, New York University (Newsweek)

“Think of two ferries of different sizes approaching a dock. Each one makes water waves that push the other one around—but to different degrees, depending on their size.”

— Mia Morrell, Physicist, New York University (Newsweek)

What’s next

The researchers say the discovery of these nonreciprocal time crystals could offer insights into the circadian rhythms and other biological processes that also involve nonreciprocal interactions.

The takeaway

This new discovery of time crystals that defy Newton's Third Law of Motion expands our understanding of the exotic and complex quantum systems that can emerge in nature, with potential applications in data storage and quantum computing.