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Scientists crack decades-old quantum puzzle, the Kondo effect

The team tested the method on seven magnetic atoms in copper, and the results were up to one hundred times more accurate than current simplified models; physics borrowed chemistry's tools.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After Hours
Published 3:38 AM ET, Friday, October 23, 2026

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN After Hours at 3:38 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are ScienceAlert's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by ScienceAlert: “Scientists Just Cracked a Quantum Mystery That's Puzzled Physicists For Decades”, with reporting from SciTechDaily.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 3:38 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

ScienceAlertScientists Just Cracked a Quantum Mystery That's Puzzled Physicists For Decades
SciTechDailyPhysicists Tackle a Classic Quantum Problem With a Powerful New Computational Method facts used on air

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCaltech and Yale researchers say they modelled the Kondo effect, where metals get more resistant again as they cool, by treating one magnetic atom like a molecule, with chemistry's methods.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWait, physics asked chemistry for help?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYes. Up to one hundred times more accurate than the shortcuts. Physics was rounding, Kenji. For decades. Out loud.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe puzzle has been open since the nineteen thirties.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo physics copied chemistry's homework, and it worked.

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Scientists crack decades-old quantum puzzle, the Kondo effect

At a glance

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What BBN said about it

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