Condensed matter physics and materials science form a dynamic partnership, exploring how the collective behavior of atoms gives rise to the unique properties of solids and liquids. This field bridges the gap between fundamental quantum mechanics and the practical engineering of everything from flexible electronics to superconductors, turning abstract theories into tangible innovations that shape our daily lives.

At Gist.Science, we process every new preprint in this category directly from arXiv to make these complex discoveries accessible to everyone. Our team generates both plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries for each paper, ensuring that researchers, students, and curious minds alike can grasp the latest breakthroughs without getting lost in dense jargon.

Below are the latest papers in condensed matter and materials science, organized by their most recent publication dates.

Observation of flat-bottom U-shaped energy gap in high-Tc nickelate (La,Pr)3Ni2O7 thin films

Using ultra-low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and electrical transport measurements, researchers observed a nodeless, flat-bottom U-shaped superconducting energy gap in ambient-pressure (La,Pr)₃Ni₂O₇ thin films with an onset Tc above 40 K, providing new insights into high-Tc nickelate superconductivity and potential hints for liquid-nitrogen-temperature superconductivity.

Zhen Liang, Tianheng Wei, Wei Ren, Haoran Ji, Zheyuan Xie, Yanzhao Liu, Ziqiang Wang, Jian Wang2026-05-18🔬 cond-mat.mes-hall

A practical Laser-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell synthesis technique and recovery workflow for metastable MnSb2 and YbZn2 phases

This paper presents a practical laser-heated diamond anvil cell synthesis and recovery workflow that successfully stabilizes and recovers metastable high-pressure MnSb2 and YbZn2 intermetallic phases, enabling the discovery of tunable electronic instabilities and correlated quantum states under extreme conditions.

S. Huyan, R. F. S. Penacchio, D. Zhang, Z. Li, S. L. Morelhão, Raquel Ribeiro, P. C. Canfield, S. L. Bud'ko2026-05-18🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Long-range magnetic ordering and structural phase transition in disordered high-entropy spinel chromites

This study demonstrates that Cr-based high-entropy spinel oxides, despite significant chemical disorder, preserve the characteristic long-range magnetic ordering and structural phase transitions typical of low-entropy systems, suggesting that high configurational entropy promotes global structural stabilization.

Sushanta Mandal, Koushik Chakraborty, Isha, Arvind Kumar Yogi, S. D. Kaushik, Sourav Marik, Tirthankar Chakraborty2026-05-18🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Causation-guided mechanism identification and interpretable reduced-order modeling of damage-driving grain-boundary stress in creep

This paper presents a causation-guided machine-learning framework that integrates crystal-plasticity simulations to identify key microstructural mechanisms governing grain-boundary stress in creep and distills them into an interpretable, robust reduced-order model for predicting damage-driving stress under complex loading conditions.

Weichen Kong, Yanwei Dai, Yinglin Zhang, Yinghua Liu2026-05-18🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Rapid Atmospheric Vapor Deposition of H:In2O3 Transparent Conducting Oxide Thin Films

This paper demonstrates that atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) at mild temperatures (140°C) can rapidly and cost-effectively synthesize high-performance H:In2O3 transparent conducting oxide films with superior conductivity and transmittance compared to commercial standards, utilizing water-derived hydrogen dopants to significantly enhance carrier mobility.

Xiaoyu Guo, Hae-Jun Seok, Eilidh L. Quinn, Matthew K Sharpe, Callum. D. McAleese, Yi-Teng Huang, Xinjuan Li, Kexue Li, Chia-Yu Chang, Yongjie Wang, John O'Sullivan, Katie L. Moore, Caterina Ducati, Ru (…)2026-05-18🔬 cond-mat.mtrl-sci