After5Houston - The Mystery That Broke Physics: The Impossible Particle

A particle that wasn't supposed to exist turns out to be real. Rice physicist Kaden Hazzard on the discovery that broke a century-old rule.
About this Event

A centurly-old rule said only two kinds of particles could exist. A Rice Physicst just proved there's a third.

For nearly a hundred years, physicists believed every particle in the universe belonged to one of two families. Electrons and protons, the stuff that builds atoms - those are fermions. Photons, the particles of light - those are bosons. Two families, no exceptions. The rule sat at the very foundation of modern physics.

Then Rice physicist Kaden Hazzard and his student Zhiyuan Wang showed, on paper, that nature allows a third family - the "paraparticle" - long believed to be impossible. First imagined in the 1950s and seemingly ruled out in the 1970s, paraparticles turn out to be fully compatible with the laws of physics. Their proof was published in the journal Nature in early 2025.

This isn't the usual "physicists spot a new particle" headline. Paraparticles don't show up in a collider - they emerge from the collective dance of atoms and electrons inside materials, pointing toward strange new states of matter and, just maybe, an entirely new kind of fundamental particle. In this talk, Kaden takes us from a rule everyone thought was unbreakable to the frontier of what's still being worked out - no equations required, just the ideas and a good drink in hand.

About the Speaker:

Kaden Hazzard is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and director of the Rice Quantum Initiative. His research runs from ultracold atoms to programmable quantum matter to the deep mathematics of how particles behave. He's also that rare physicist who makes this stuff genuinely fun - his public talks carry titles like "A Strange Exchange: Paraparticles and Where to Find Them." Expect big ideas, zero jargon, and the occasional comic-book aside.

Good to know

• A roughly 45 minute talk, followed by audience Q&A and mingling
• Location: Patterson Park Patio Bar, 2205 Patterson St, Houston
• Drinks available at the bar - come thirsty for both drinks and knowledge
• No physics background needed; bring your questions

Agenda

🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow

Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!

🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Guided Experience / Talk

Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in - it's your experience to enjoy.

🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Social Time & Connection

Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!