Frozen in dry ice, hydrogen reveals a surprisingly simple way to control quantum behavior

University of Maryland chemical physicists discovered a simple method to control molecular hydrogen’s nuclear spin by freezing it in dry ice, published in Physical Review Letters in April 2026. The technique manipulates hydrogen’s quantum states without complex equipment, offering a low-cost, scalable approach for quantum control in lab and industrial settings. Potential applications include enhancing hydrogen fuel storage efficiency by stabilizing molecular states, reducing energy loss during storage and transport. It could also advance quantum memory systems by providing a stable, long-lived qubit platform for quantum computers using hydrogen’s spin states. The method may improve astrophysical research by enabling precise temperature measurements of comets via hydrogen spin analysis in space-based instruments.