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Time Crystals: From Science Fiction to Everyday Security
Artwork by Affan Qasim, created with Gemini Pro
Picture pulling out a 1000 Rupee bill and seeing its security stripe pulse like a heartbeat—shifting, shimmering, and repeating in ways counterfeiting can’t replicate. That’s the intriguing potential of time crystals, a form of matter physicists once believed was impossible.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have now created the first visible time crystals. Made from twisted liquid crystals illuminated by light, these crystals ripple with vibrant tiger-stripe patterns that are sturdy, stable, and sometimes even visible with the naked eye.
This isn’t sci-fi fuel for a time machine, but it could redefine how we safeguard currency, store data, or develop futuristic displays. Imagine screens that animate themselves, changing colors or patterns rhythmically, powered by the principles of time symmetry breaking.
By layering different types of time crystals, it might be possible to produce holographic images that are extremely secure and constantly shifting or create bright, shimmering surfaces for wearable tech or architecture. From seemingly impossible physics to holograms on banknotes, time crystals show that even the wildest science can find practical applications right in your pocket.
Snapchat Enhances Features: Unlimited Storage and Group Streaks
Artwork by Syed Alihasan Agha, created with Gemini Pro
Snapchat is changing the game again: the app renowned for disappearing messages now aims to keep your chats forever and encourage ongoing friendships.
With “Infinite Retention,” you can pin conversations so they stay put instead of fading away, a bold move away from Snapchat’s original “disappear after viewing” approach.
Meanwhile, “Group Streaks” turn your group chats into a friendly competition, where everyone contributes to maintaining a streak. Let one lazy friend slip up, and the whole record is lost. This feature gamifies chatting, making your group conversations more of a daily routine than a casual drop-in.
“Good morning! It’s a sunny day. Solve for X.”
Artwork by Daniyal Khuhro, generated with Gemini
Today, it seems like fresh innovation is scarce, replaced by rebrands of familiar concepts.
Awake, the latest alarm app for iOS, demands that users complete a task or challenge before turning off the alarm, setting itself apart. It now includes features like weather updates, morning news, calendar reminders, and even social media block functions—all bundled into one package. Though useful, these features are nothing new.
Most of these added features come with a hefty price tag—$19.99 annually or $6.49 monthly—highlighting that they’re selling convenience, not novelty, as usual.
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