Illustration (IMAGE) Simons Foundation Caption A new theory explains the unusual behavior of strange metals, considered one of the greatest open challenges in condensed matter physics. The theory is based on two properties of strange metals. First, their electrons can become quantum mechanically entangled with one another, binding their fates, and they remain entangled even when distantly separated. Second, strange metals have a nonuniform arrangement of atoms. Credit Lucy Reading-Ikkanda/Simons Foundation Usage Restrictions None License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.