Science DevelopingDiscovery

Researchers unveil first working nuclear clocks powered by thorium

Published 2h ago

Covered in 5 countries

AI summary42s readPositive

Scientists in Beijing and Vienna have debuted the world's first ultra-precise nuclear clocks.

Independent research teams in Beijing and Vienna have successfully developed the world's first working nuclear clocks by measuring the rhythmic changes of thorium-229 nuclei embedded in crystals. These groundbreaking devices offer unprecedented precision, with the Chinese team's timepiece demonstrating six times the stability of its Austrian counterpart. The new instruments mark a major technological leap beyond traditional atomic clocks established decades ago.

The newly built nuclear timepieces rely on the steady core rhythm of thorium-229 nuclei rather than orbiting electrons.
Researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing constructed the device that achieved superior stability compared to the Viennese instrument.
Experts note that these advanced systems could potentially operate for millions of years with a margin of error of only one second.

Written from 5 of 6 outlets — 1 has since joined this story.

By the numbers

30M yrtime before losing a second

Why it matters

Ultra-precise timekeeping technology underpins global digital infrastructure, telecommunications, and navigation systems, making stability improvements vital for safeguarding against modern systemic vulnerabilities.

What outlets agree on

Research groups in Beijing and Vienna have successfully built and operated the world's first nuclear clocks using thorium-229 nuclei.

Tune your feed

Reactions

In this story

Tsinghua UniversityTU WienNature

Covered by 6 outlets

67% of the sources are Center

33%67%

Lean ratings via Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides, Ad Fontes Media

Are you a publisher? Tell us how we may use your content