SCIENTISTS examining potassium have discovered a new state of physical matter where atoms can exist as both solid and liquid at the same time.

The research is said to clear up whether there was a distinct state of matter or the atom structures represented a transition between two stages — whether solid, liquid or gas.

Tests were carried out on the “simple metal,” such as applying high pressures and temperatures, with powerful computer simulations used to study what was known as the chain-melted state.

Experts from the University of Edinburgh believe more than half a dozen other elements — including sodium and bismuth — are capable of existing in this new state.

It was previously unclear if this structure represented its own distinct state of matter.

By simulating the behavior of roughly 20,000 potassium atoms under extreme conditions, the researchers say they’ve confirmed a new, stable state of matter.

Andreas Hermann, of the university’s School of Physics and Astronomy, led the study which is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

He said, “Potassium is one of the simplest metals we know, yet if you squeeze it, it forms very complicated structures.

“We have shown that this unusual but stable state is part solid and par liquid.

“Recreating this unusual state in other materials could have all kinds of applications.”

According to the team, the extreme conditions led to the formation of two interlinked solid lattice structures in the atoms.

These strong chemical interactions allowed the atoms to stay in solid form when heated. The other atoms melted into a liquid state.

The work was carried out in collaboration with scientists from Xi’an Jiantong University in China. (SD-Agencies)