We’ve got another notable first in the field of physics to report: A specific type of quantum behavior in waves of heat has now been observed at room temperature, rather than at the ultra-low cryogenic temperatures that are usually required.

The quantum behavior is phonon focusing, which is where atomic-level, heat-carrying vibrations (the quantum packets known as phonons) travel through a non-metallic material in specific patterns, like rays from a star.

Crucially, this is different from the standard behavior of heat-transporting phonons at room temperature, where the heat spreads out evenly in all directions (a classical rather than quantum way of moving).