A new theoretical framework published in a peer-reviewed physics journal offers an alternative explanation for what occurs at the centers of black holes, challenging a century-old understanding of singularities. For over 110 years, black hole singularities have been mathematically described as points of infinite curvature, a concept many physicists consider unphysical despite its widespread use in equations.
The research, published online January 7, 2026, in European Physical Journal Plus, proposes that singularities do not represent physical infinities but instead mark locations where the mathematical description of spacetime breaks down. The work introduces a mechanical failure condition for spacetime, drawing analogies to how materials fail under extreme stress or how fluid models become inadequate at very small scales.
Using established equations from general relativity, the paper identifies a clear threshold where the continuum description of spacetime no longer applies. This framework provides a physically grounded way to understand singularities without invoking infinite quantities, which have long troubled physicists seeking to reconcile general relativity with quantum mechanics.
The proposed theory maintains all tested predictions of general relativity outside black hole event horizons, meaning observable black hole behavior remains unchanged. This is significant because it addresses a fundamental theoretical problem without contradicting any experimental evidence or astronomical observations of black holes.
The research was conducted independently by theoretical physicist Michael Aaron Cody, who has more than 20 years of self-directed study and 10 years of university work. The paper was self-funded and represents a first-principles approach to long-standing problems in physics. A preprint version is available for free access at Preprints.org.
This development matters because it offers a potential resolution to one of the most persistent theoretical problems in modern physics. The concept of infinite singularities has created significant challenges for developing a complete theory of quantum gravity, which seeks to unify general relativity with quantum mechanics. By reinterpreting singularities as breakdown points rather than physical realities, this work could provide a more tractable foundation for future theoretical developments.
The implications extend beyond theoretical physics to our fundamental understanding of the universe's most extreme environments. If spacetime behaves like a material that can fail under extreme conditions, this could influence how physicists model the early universe, neutron stars, and other high-energy phenomena. The research maintains compatibility with existing observations while offering a new conceptual framework that may prove more fruitful for theoretical advancement.
For the physics community, this represents an important contribution to the ongoing effort to understand black holes completely. While not altering any observable predictions, the theory provides a different mathematical and conceptual approach to what happens at the center of black holes, potentially opening new avenues for research into quantum gravity and the fundamental nature of spacetime.
