The Tiny Twist That Turns a Pencil Into a Superconductor

Science Across America is a national series uncovering exceptional science in all 50 states. It is presented by the Independent Media Initiative, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Winn Family Foundation. See all the states at http://5050science.com/ ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ What if you could turn the same material into a conductor, insulator, magnet, or even a superconductor just by twisting it? Meet magic angle graphene, where a tiny 1.1° twist creates a whole new world of physics. The material is carbon, the same stuff found in a pencil, but its properties can become extraordinary. 50x50: Science Across America is a national series uncovering exceptional science in all 50 states. It is presented by the Independent Media Initiative, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Winn Family Foundation. Together we are also proud and grateful to acknowledge our supporting partners in this important work: The Brinson Foundation, Shanahan Family Foundation, and the Allen Institute. Independent Media Initiative: https://www.theimi.co/ Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: https://sloan.org/ HHMI | Tangled Bank Studios:https://www.tangledbankstudios.org/ The Brinson Foundation: https://brinsonfoundation.org/ Shanahan Family Foundation: https://shanahanfamilyfoundation.org/ The Allen Institute: https://alleninstitute.org/ Be Smart explores science questions you didn’t even know you wondered about. It is hosted and produced by Joe Hanson, PhD. We post new videos all the time, so please subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, hit the ‘like’ button, leave a comment, or watch another of our videos! CONNECT WITH ME ____________________________________ Website: https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart/ https://www.instagram.com/drjoehanson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/itsokaytobesmart A big thanks to our Brain Trust patrons: Baerbel Winkler, Bernadette Etienne, Brent Lopez, dani bowman, David Johnston, Ed Eyden, Eric Meer, Jaap Westera, Karen Haskell, Marcus Pingel, Mike and Patty Loftis, Reuben Brewer SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES ____________________________________ Please email biz@itsokaytobesmart.com Stock video and images provided by Shutterstock, Artlist, and MotionArray Music provided by APM Written Joe Hanson Edited by Steven Simone Produced by Least Square Media and Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios


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