Bismuth, a puzzling material in quantum research, has now revealed a surprising twist. Kobe University scientists discovered that its surface properties can obscure its true nature, challenging a foundational assumption in topological material science.

For nearly two decades, scientists have puzzled over whether bismuth belongs to a remarkable class of materials that could revolutionize quantum computing and spintronics. Now, new research from Kobe University has uncovered the answer — and in the process, revealed a surprising new phenomenon that could change how we think about advanced materials.