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Scientists Discover Quantum Material with Dual Electronic States

3/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory discovered a quantum material, KxNi4S2, that can switch between two electronic states on demand.
The Dirac state features rapid electron motion, while flat-band states slow electron movement.
The dual states could simplify device design by enabling a single material to support multiple electronic behaviors.
The research was confirmed at the Advanced Photon Source, and findings were published in Matter.

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Story summary

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory discovered a quantum material, KxNi4S2, that can switch between two electronic states on demand.
The Dirac state features rapid electron motion, while flat-band states slow electron movement.
The dual states could simplify device design by enabling a single material to support multiple electronic behaviors.
The research was confirmed at the Advanced Photon Source, and findings were published in Matter.