Looking solely at their subatomic particles, most substances can be categorized into two groups. Metals, such as copper and iron, exhibit free-flowing electrons enabling electrical conductivity, whereas insulators, like glass and rubber, retain tightly bound electrons and, therefore, do not conduct electricity.

The transformation of insulators into metals when subjected to a strong electric field presents intriguing possibilities for microelectronics and supercomputing. However, the scientific community lacks a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physics, commonly referred to as resistive switching. Experts, including Jong Han, a condensed matter theorist from UB, are actively debating essential questions, such as the required electric field strength.