In a recently published study in Physical Review D, Greek scientists propose that nano-wormholes may help resolve one of modern cosmology’s most puzzling problems: the mismatch between observed cosmic expansion and theoretical predictions. These tiny spacetime features could provide a missing link between gravity, dark energy, and the fundamental structure of the universe.
The idea revolves around a persistent issue: the cosmological constant, which describes the rate of expansion of the universe, doesn’t match between observational data and quantum field theory. While quantum models predict a value that is up to 120 orders of magnitude too high, actual measurements suggest something vastly smaller. This inconsistency has fueled debate for decades.
Now, by introducing a complex mathematical term—the Gauss-Bonnet term—and factoring in the potential existence of wormholes, the researchers claim they can bridge this gap without rewriting the laws of physics.
A Rougher Cosmic Landscape
The central premise of the research is that the universe might be far less smooth than previously thought. The Greek team proposes a “craggier” model of gravity—one where microscopic wormholes and instantons perforate spacetime, creating a dynamic landscape. This shift in perspective could explain the irregularities in cosmic expansion without relying solely on dark energy.
According to Popular Mechanics, the paper explains that the variation of the Gauss-Bonnet term on a manifold experiencing changes due to wormholes isn’t zero. This variation has consequences: it naturally produces what the researchers call an “effective cosmological constant.” That constant could change over time depending on wormhole activity, potentially explaining why the expansion rate of the universe appears to be accelerating.
Incorporating these changes doesn’t require inventing new physics from scratch. Instead, the framework subtly modifies existing models by accepting that wormholes might be a feature of quantum foam—the submicroscopic texture of spacetime that behaves unpredictably on the tiniest scales.
10 Quadrillion Wormholes per Cubic Meter
One of the more surprising aspects of the study is the estimated wormhole density. To make their model work, the scientists suggest a universe where about 10¹⁶ (or 10 quadrillion) microscopic wormholes form per cubic meter each second. That number sounds extreme, but according to the researchers, it is still within the bounds of current theoretical physics.
These wormholes would operate at scales far beyond human perception, embedded within the turbulent structure of quantum foam. Rather than being large tunnels capable of transporting matter, they might instead be more like pinholes—momentary distortions in the manifold of spacetime itself. These features, while invisible and incredibly brief, could cumulatively exert enough influence to shape how dark energy behaves across the universe.
The implication is striking: the constant that governs the universe’s expansion may not be constant at all, but a dynamic result of chaotic, quantum-scale events. This approach reframes dark energy not as a standalone mystery but as an emergent effect of complex gravitational geometry.
Wormholes Without Paradoxes
The idea of wormholes isn’t new. They’ve long been theorized as shortcuts through space and time, frequently depicted in science fiction. What sets this research apart is its focus on wormholes as passive features, not as tools for travel or communication.
According to the original paper, these wormholes might not resemble tunnels at all. Instead, they could be simple punctures or folds in higher-dimensional space—effects that influence spacetime without ever being observable. Manifold theory, a mathematical tool used to understand complex surfaces, allows scientists to model these phenomena in higher dimensions, offering a way to represent them even if they can’t be directly seen.
The study suggests that even in their fleeting, chaotic state, wormholes can affect measurable aspects of the universe. By changing the topology of the manifold, they create a cumulative distortion that could account for the discrepancies in cosmological measurements. Their presence could help reconcile gravity as understood on cosmic scales with quantum mechanics—a long-standing challenge in physics.