--- title: "New Theory: The Universe is a Bubble, Inflated by Dark Energy" description: "## Dark Energy" date: "2018-12-29" modified: "2018-12-29" authors: - name: "Jon Christian" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/new-theory-universe-bubble-inflated-dark-energy" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "dark energy" - "string theory" - "the digest" - "the universe" --- # New Theory: The Universe is a Bubble, Inflated by Dark Energy ![A mind-bending new theory claims to make sense not just of the expanding universe and extra dimensions, but string theory and dark energy as well.]() *\Image: Suvendu Giri/Jon Christian\* ## Dark Energy A mind-bending new theory claims to make sense not just of the expanding universe and extra dimensions, but string theory and dark energy as well. According to the new model, [proposed in the journal]() *Physical Review Letters* by researchers from Uppsala University, the entire universe is riding on an expanding bubble in an "additional dimension" — which is being inflated by dark energy and which is home to strings that extend outwards from it and correspond to all the matter that it contains. ## Breaking It Down The paper is extraordinarily dense and theoretical. But the surprising new theory it lays out, its authors say, could provide new insights about the creation and ultimate destiny of the cosmos. In the long view, though, physicists have suggested many outrageous models for the universe over the years — many of which we've [covered here at Futurism](). The reality: until a theory not only conforms to existing evidence but helps explain new findings, the road to a consensus will be long. **READ MORE:** [Our universe: An expanding bubble in an extra dimension]() \[Uppsala University\] ***More on dark energy:** [An Oxford Scientist May Have Solved the Mystery of Dark Matter]()* ## Author I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()