Is Time Travel Impossible After All?

It’s the basis of countless Sci-Fi film plots, but will time travel ever be possible? We know that there’s no proof of its existence yet. If there were evidence of time travel, we would clearly know about it. Of course, the theory goes that if time travel will exist at any point in the future, we would already know about it, because somebody would travel back in time to tell us. But can we rule it out scientifically?

What we know so far

So far, there is nothing definitive to prove that the universe isn’t symmetrical in CPT:

• Charge – the behaviour of particles
• Parity – the relationship between a particle and its antiparticle
• Time – The progression through existence (from past to present)

These three categories cover all types of fundamental interaction. They are linked to one another, in theory, so a violation to one would prove – or at least suggest – a violation in another. Current theories suggest all three are symmetrical. So parity is possible for all atoms, charge is reversible, and time can theoretically move in both directions.

CP-symmetry is the product of Charge-symmetry and Parity-symmetry. According to this theory, the make-up of an atom should be unchanged in a mirror image. So a particle and its antiparticle should behave in the same way.

However, research has found that some atoms (so far Radium-224 and Barium-144) have an asymmetrical distribution of particles. The protons and neutrons are skewed towards one end of the nucleus – they are pear-shaped. This violates CP-symmetry because there is an uneven mass, which would suggest that the time (T) symmetry may also be violated.

So how does this link to time travel?

If scientists can prove that CP-symmetry is false, it would indicate that time does not have a reversal possibility. Therefore, time travel is not possible and we will always travel from past to present. At the moment, the findings are merely indicative that there may be a pattern. The research into the pear-shaped atoms will be continued at CERN in Switzerland.

Research into atomic structure is a huge part of science, not just for time travel. Nanomedical Cancer Innovations are going to be a huge development in medical research, particularly in the fight against cancer. Nanoparticle treatment that alters the atomic structure of nanoparticles can result in certain cells being destroyed. It could prove to be a big force in saving lives.