Imagine a world where we can tweak the properties of materials simply by twisting them at a specific angle—almost like magic. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the groundbreaking work that just earned Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics at MIT, the prestigious 2025 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences. But here’s where it gets controversial: could this discovery revolutionize industries, or is it just a fascinating scientific curiosity? Let’s dive in.
Jarillo-Herrero shares the 400,000-euro prize with Allan MacDonald of the University of Texas at Austin. Their collaborative efforts have unlocked a new frontier in physics by demonstrating how rotating two-dimensional materials like graphene at a precise angle—dubbed the 'magic angle'—can transform their behavior. According to the BBVA Foundation, their work has laid both the theoretical groundwork and experimental proof for a field where superconductivity, magnetism, and other properties can be controlled with unprecedented precision.
And this is the part most people miss: Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, is at the heart of this discovery. In 2011, MacDonald theorized that twisting two graphene layers at approximately 1 degree would alter the interaction of electrons, giving rise to entirely new properties. Fast forward to 2018, and Jarillo-Herrero experimentally confirmed this theory, rotating graphene sheets to achieve behaviors like superconductivity—a phenomenon that could drastically reduce energy loss in electricity transmission.
María José García Borge, a research professor and award committee member, explains, 'Their work has opened doors to controlling matter in ways we never thought possible, with potential industrial applications that could reshape our future.' But is this the next big leap in technology, or are we getting ahead of ourselves?
MacDonald’s initial theory didn’t immediately capture the scientific community’s attention. It was Jarillo-Herrero’s experimental validation years later that brought its significance to light. MacDonald himself describes his co-laureate’s achievement as 'almost science fiction,' highlighting the transformative nature of their combined work.
Jarillo-Herrero’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Intrigued by the uncharted territory of aligning graphene sheets, he spent years refining his technique. The breakthrough came when he precisely controlled the rotational angle, eventually hitting the 'magic' 1.1 degrees. 'It was surprisingly difficult to execute in the lab,' Jarillo-Herrero admits, 'but the results were nothing short of extraordinary.'
Since 2009, the BBVA Foundation has recognized over a dozen MIT faculty members with Frontiers of Knowledge Awards, celebrating world-class research across eight categories. These awards underscore the value of knowledge as a global public good, supporting scientific and cultural advancements while fostering innovation.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: As we stand on the brink of potentially harnessing superconductivity for sustainable energy, how will this discovery shape our future? Will it live up to the hype, or are there challenges we’re not yet considering? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
