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Health & Science3h 34m ago

Physicists have created a 'miniuniverse' using ultracold atoms to measure time based on entropy within the system, rather than an external clock.

University of Birmingham

Who
Professor Giovanni Barontini, University of Birmingham
What
Physicists have created a 'miniuniverse' using ultracold atoms to measure time based on entropy within the system, rather than an external clock.
When
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 14:07:00 GMT · 3h 34m ago
Where
University of Birmingham ·
Why
The experiment aims to test the theoretical idea that time may emerge from relationships and changes within the universe, rather than being a built-in feature.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This research provides a new experimental platform to test concepts from quantum gravity and cosmology in a laboratory setting. It challenges the conventional understanding of time by demonstrating that an internal, entropy-based variable can order events and support quantum predictions, potentially offering new insights into the nature of time in quantum universes.

Story chain

3 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading3h 34m ago
    Physicists have created a 'miniuniverse' using ultracold atoms to measure time based on entropy within the system, rather than an external clock.
  2. Health & Science3h 34m ago
    Ultracold atoms in a lab-built mini universe let physicists track time without a clock, using entropy inside the system.
    Open article
  3. Health & Science3h 34m ago
    Ultracold atoms in a lab-built mini universe allow physicists to track time using entropy inside the system, rather than an external clock.
    Open article

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