Electron behaviour under extreme conditions described for the first time

Researchers have modelled the actions of electrons under extreme temperatures and densities, such as those found within planets and stars. The work could provide insights into the behaviour of matter in fusion experiments, which may one day lead to a sought-after source of clean energy. Electrons are an elementary component of our world and determine many of the properties of solids and liquids. They also carry electrical current, without which our high-tech environment with smartphones, computers and even light bulbs would not be possible. This is the beginning of a new field of computational science. Professor Matthew Foulkes Despite their ubiquity, scientists have not yet been able to accurately describe the behaviour of large numbers of interacting electrons. This is especially true at extreme temperatures and densities, such as inside planets or in stars, where the electrons form 'warm dense matter'.