MIT theoretical physicists may have an explanation for the surprising observation that superconductivity and magnetism can co-exist in some materials. They propose that under certain conditions, a magnetic material’s electrons could splinter into quasiparticles known as “anyons,” some of which could flow together without friction — an entirely new form of superconductivity.

New system successfully transforms simple carbon molecules into acetyl-CoA. A building block of life, acetyl-CoA can be used to make a variety of materials. To build the system, scientists screened 66 enzymes and 3,000 enzyme variants. Enzyme screening and system use molecular machinery outside of living cells.