Scientists just found a way to control electrons without magnets

Scientists discovered a groundbreaking method to control electron movement without using expensive magnetic materials like iron, potentially revolutionizing computing technology. Researchers demonstrated that chiral phonons—circular vibrations in twisted crystal structures like quartz—can directly transfer orbital angular momentum to electrons, creating what they call the orbital Seebeck effect. This approach eliminates the need for magnets, batteries, or voltage while using cheaper, more abundant materials, making orbitronics more practical for developing faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices.