Ice cream-inspired physics: Team uncovers a quantum Mpemba effect, with a host of ‘cool’ implications

Researchers have just described the existence of the paradoxical Mpemba effect within quantum systems. Initially investigating out of pure curiosity, the discovery has bridged the gap between Aristotle’s observations two millennia ago and modern-day understanding, and opened the door to a whole host of ‘cool’ — and ‘cooling’ — implications.