Quantum materials sound futuristic — their strange behaviors come directly from the laws of quantum physics, which govern how atoms and electrons interact.
They can conduct electricity with zero resistance, react to magnetic fields in unusual ways, or store information more efficiently than traditional materials.
These properties have already led to technologies such as MRI scanners, data storage devices, and advanced computer screens.
Yet, while a few quantum materials have revolutionized industry, most remain stuck in research labs, never becoming practical products.
A team of researchers at MIT has now developed a way to predict which quantum materials are most likely to succeed outside the lab.
Their new framework, described in Materials Today, evaluates not only a material’s quantum performance but also its cost, environmental impact, and supply chain stability.
By combining these factors, scientists can focus on materials that balance cutting-edge quantum behavior with real-world feasibility.
“People who study quantum materials usually focus on their physics, not their practicality,” says Professor Mingda Li, the study’s senior author. “But if we want these materials to shape future technologies, we have to think about how they can be scaled, sourced, and produced sustainably.”
To develop their model, the team analyzed over 16,000 quantum materials, paying special attention to a class known as topological materials, which have remarkable electronic properties.
They used a machine learning tool based on the concept of “quantum weight”, proposed by MIT physicist Liang Fu.
The higher a material’s quantum weight, the stronger its quantum effects — for instance, how well it might conduct electricity without loss or detect tiny magnetic changes.
However, when the researchers compared quantum weight with real-world factors like price and environmental damage, they discovered a clear trend: the most “quantum” materials were often the most expensive and environmentally harmful to produce.
Extracting or processing the rare elements they require can generate pollution and waste, making them unsustainable for large-scale manufacturing.
This finding helps explain why some promising quantum discoveries never make it to commercial use. “Industry wants materials that are powerful but affordable,” says Ellan Spero, an instructor in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. “Our results show that very few materials meet that ideal combination.”
The team identified about 200 environmentally friendly candidates, then narrowed the list to 31 top materials that offer a good balance between quantum performance and sustainability. Some of these have never been synthesized, while others are already catching the attention of semiconductor companies exploring energy-efficient electronics.
The potential applications are wide-ranging. Quantum materials could make next-generation microchips, advanced sensors, and highly efficient energy harvesters. In theory, some could even convert body heat into enough energy to charge a phone. “Solar cells have a limit of about 34 percent efficiency,” says Fu.
“But some topological materials could reach 89 percent. If we could scale that, we’d change how we think about power.”
The MIT team hopes their framework will shift how scientists choose which materials to study. “In the future,” says Li, “thinking about cost and environmental impact won’t be an afterthought—it will be part of science itself.”
The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
