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Universe as Fluid: New Cosmology Challenges Dark Matter/Energy

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, January 19th 2026 at 8:29 GMT
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Fluid Dynamics and Cosmology: A Novel Approach

The team's innovative approach lies in applying principles of fluid dynamics, a field typically used to study the behavior of liquids and gases, to cosmological models. By conceptualizing the universe as a vast, interconnected fluid, the researchers found that a viscous fluid universe could successfully explain both the observed accelerating expansion and the large-scale structure we see across the cosmos - all without the need to invoke the existence of dark matter or dark energy. This is a significant departure from current cosmological standard models, which rely heavily on these yet-to-be-explained components to reconcile observations with theoretical predictions.

"Imagine the universe as a giant fluid, like honey or molasses," explains Liang Xiao, co-author of the study. "When you stir it, it resists, and that resistance is the viscosity. In our model, the universe has a similar kind of resistance to its own expansion."

What are the implications?

The traditional cosmological model, known as Lambda-CDM, posits that the universe is composed of roughly 5% ordinary matter, 27% dark matter, and 68% dark energy. Dark matter's existence is inferred from its gravitational influence on visible matter and the rotation curves of galaxies. Dark energy is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, counteracting gravity's pull. The new viscous fluid model seeks to eliminate the need for these enigmatic substances, offering a potentially simpler and more elegant explanation for the universe's behavior.

While the research team emphasizes that this is an alternative perspective - not a definitive solution - it opens up exciting new avenues for cosmological investigation. If proven correct, the implications would be profound, forcing a re-evaluation of our fundamental understanding of the universe's constituents and its evolution.

Testing the Model: The Cosmic Microwave Background

The next crucial step involves rigorous testing. The researchers are currently focused on comparing the model's predictions against observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The CMB is the afterglow of the Big Bang, a faint radiation that permeates the universe and carries invaluable information about the early universe. By comparing the patterns and fluctuations in the CMB observed by modern telescopes with the predictions of the viscous fluid model, scientists can determine if the model accurately reflects reality. Any significant discrepancies would suggest that the model requires further refinement or even rejection.

The investigation is still in its early stages, and the viscous fluid model is subject to further scrutiny and refinement. However, the potential to rewrite our understanding of the cosmos is substantial. The ongoing comparisons with CMB data promise to be a pivotal moment in the quest to unlock the universe's deepest secrets, and may well reveal if the cosmos is indeed a little more like honey than we previously thought.