Welcome to Discover Daily , by Perplexity , your AI-curated digest of breakthroughs in tech , science and culture . I'm Alex . Today we're exploring how light can be transformed into a super solid a fascinating development in quantum physics . But first let's look at what else is happening across the financial and automotive sectors .
Our first segment focuses on Nasdaq's plan to offer 24-hour trading . The second largest US stock exchange operator aims to introduce round-the-clock trading on its equities platform , five days a week , starting in the latter half of 2026 . This move is subject to regulatory approval and industry alignment .
Nasdaq's initiative is driven by growing global demand for US stocks , particularly from retail investors in different time zones . However , nasdaq President Tal Cohen has emphasized the need to consider risks associated with increased volatility and higher transaction costs that may result from expanded trading hours .
A key aspect of this plan is updating the Securities Information Processor , or SIP , which displays real-time stock price information . This update is crucial to accommodate the additional hours of operation .
Despite the potential for increased overnight trading , cohen noted that liquidity during these extended hours is expected to remain significantly lower compared to regular trading sessions . Nasdaq isn't alone in this move . Cboe Global Markets has announced similar plans to extend trading on its equities exchange to 24 hours a day . Five days a week pending regulatory approval .
Day , five days a week pending regulatory approval . The New York Stock Exchange has also filed an application to offer 22 hours of trading on weekdays . These developments reflect a growing trend in the US stock market towards extended trading hours .
A new exchange called 24Exchange is set to debut in the second half of 2025 , offering nearly 24-hour trading , as approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission . While this shift aims to cater to increasing global interest in US stocks and provide more flexibility for investors across different time zones , it's not without challenges .
Nasdaq is forming a group to work with other industry participants to address concerns and risks . As this story develops , we'll be watching how these exchanges navigate the complexities of implementing extended trading hours while maintaining market stability and investor confidence . Moving on to our second segment , we have news from the automotive world .
Volkswagen has unveiled its most affordable electric vehicle yet , the ID Everyone , which will be the first to feature software developed in partnership with Rivian . Developed in partnership with Rivian , set to launch in Europe by 2027 , the ID Everyone will have a starting price of around €20,000 , or about $21,500 .
This compact EV marks a significant milestone in the $5.8 billion joint venture between Volkswagen and Rivian in the $5.8 billion joint venture between Volkswagen and Rivian . The ID everyone boasts impressive specifications . For its price point , it's about the size of a Mini Cooper SE and offers a range of over 155 miles on a single charge .
It features a 94-horsepower front-wheel drive configuration , space for four passengers and 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space . As the first vehicle to utilize Rivian's software architecture , the ID EveryOne represents a significant step in Volkswagen's efforts to modernize its EV technology and improve overall vehicle performance .
This collaboration aims to accelerate innovation , increase scale and ultimately lower the cost of EV ownership for consumers worldwide . The software architecture developed with Rivian is described as highly flexible and high performance . Developed with Rivian is described as highly flexible and high performance .
It will enable over-the-air updates allowing for continuous improvements and new features throughout the vehicle's lifespan . Customization options will cater to individual customer preferences , enhancing the overall user experience . The move is expected to give Volkswagen a competitive edge in the affordable EV market .
The ID Every One is part of a broader strategy that includes nine new models planned for launch by 2027 . Another budget-friendly electric vehicle , the ID To All , is scheduled for 2026 with a starting price of around 25,000 euros . Now let's dive into our main segment of the day the transformation of laser light into a super solid .
For the first time , researchers have achieved a remarkable feat by transforming laser light into a super solid , marking a significant advancement in quantum physics . This breakthrough opens new avenues for studying exotic states of matter and challenges our understanding of the properties of light .
The team accomplished this by firing a laser at a specially designed piece of gallium arsenide with ridges . As the light interacted with the material , it formed polaritons , hybrid particles combining properties of light and matter . These polaritons were constrained by the ridges in a pre-designed way , forcing forcing them to organize into a super-solid structure .
To understand the significance , let's break down what a super-solid is . A super-solid is a state of matter that exhibits properties of both a solid and a superfluid simultaneously . It maintains a rigid crystal-like structure while also behaving like a frictionless fluid . Until now , super solids have primarily been created using ultra-cold atomic systems .
The researchers conducted rigorous tests to confirm that their light-based structure exhibited true super solidsolid properties . They observed several key characteristics simultaneous solid and fluid properties , zero viscosity , density modulation , global phase coherence and the potential for phonon-like excitations .
One of the most intriguing aspects of this discovery is how it challenges our conventional understanding of light . Typically , we think of light as something that spreads out and flows freely . However , in this experiment , researchers managed to give light some properties of a solid while maintaining its fluid-like characteristics .
This breakthrough has significant implications for both fundamental physics and potential applications . From a theoretical standpoint , it provides a new platform for studying quantum , many-body physics and exotic states of matter .
The ability to create and manipulate super-solids using light opens up possibilities for exploring quantum phenomena that were previously difficult or impossible to access On the practical side .
While it's too early to predict specific applications , this research could potentially lead to advancements in areas such as quantum computing , precision measurement and the development of new types of sensors or communication devices . That wraps up today's episode of Discover Daily .
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