The secret to hydrogen's quantum behavior lies in symmetry
Researchers from #UTokyo_IIS reveal how crystal symmetry determines whether hydrogen follows the rules of quantum or classical physics

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo discovered that hydrogen behaves either as a quantum wave or as a classical particle inside vanadium, depending on its concentration and the crystal structure of the material. By combining hydrogen diffusion measurements with theoretical calculations, crystal symmetry was identified as a key factor controlling hydrogen tunneling. The findings provide a new framework for designing materials for future energy technologies.