A CLOCK THAT CAN OUTLIVE THE UNIVERSE

A "space-time" crystal" is a clock that is able to keep perfect time forever, even after the theoretical "heat-death"of the universe. It's a four-dimensional crystal that has periodic structure in time as well as space. With such a four-dimensional crystal, researchers would have a new and much more effective way to study how complex physical properties and behaviors emerge from the collective interactions of large numbers of individual particles, the so-called many-body problem of physics. You would also be able to use a space-time crystal to research phenomenon in the quantum world, such as quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement is where two particles are "entangled", so that an action on one particle effects another particle even if it is vastly far away. A space-time crystal could theoretically continue to function as a computer even after the universe cools to absolute zero. As the universe accelerates, it cools, eventually dissipating all its energy until everything is cold, dark and as far as life is concerned, dead. But crystals, such as table salt, could be translated into the fourth dimension of time. Researchers focus on a space-time crystal that can be created in a laboratory that can survive in the heat-death of the universe. One has to admit the idea something can outlive the universe is fascinating indeed.