March 31, 2000

Researchers Create Material That Surprises Physicists

By RICHARD MONASTERSKY

Using simple copper wires and rings, two researchers have created a novel type of material that stands textbook physics on its head. The invention may help improve products that send and receive microwaves, such as cellular telephones, say its discoverers.

"Its properties are totally different than any material we've had before," says Sheldon Schultz, a professor of physics at the University of California at San Diego. Mr. Schultz and and his colleague David