A new theoretical physics paper published in European Physical Journal Plus proposes a fundamental reinterpretation of black hole singularities, challenging a mathematical description that has persisted for over a century. The research suggests that what physicists have called singularities—points of infinite curvature at black hole centers—may instead represent locations where the mathematical description of spacetime itself fails, similar to how materials fail under extreme stress.
The paper, published online January 7, 2026, and available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-07237-5, introduces what the author calls a mechanical failure condition for spacetime. Using established equations from Einstein's theory of general relativity, the research identifies a clear threshold where the continuum description of spacetime no longer applies, without invoking the infinite quantities that have troubled physicists for decades.
This reinterpretation matters because it addresses a long-standing conceptual problem in theoretical physics. While the mathematical description of singularities as points of infinite curvature has been widely used since the early 20th century, many physicists have considered it unphysical. The new framework provides a way to understand what happens at black hole centers without relying on mathematical infinities that cannot correspond to physical reality.
Importantly, the proposed framework does not alter any tested predictions of general relativity outside the event horizon. Observable black hole behavior—including gravitational effects, light bending, and Hawking radiation—remains unchanged. This means the theory maintains compatibility with all existing experimental evidence while offering a more physically plausible description of black hole interiors.
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 what the author describes as a first-principles approach to long-standing problems in physics. A preprint version is available for free access at https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202511.1552.
The implications extend beyond theoretical physics to our fundamental understanding of the universe. If spacetime can reach a failure point similar to how materials fail under stress, this suggests spacetime may have properties analogous to physical materials rather than being purely mathematical. This could influence future research in quantum gravity and attempts to reconcile general relativity with quantum mechanics.
For the broader physics community, the work demonstrates that established theories can be reinterpreted in physically meaningful ways without discarding successful predictions. The research appears in European Physical Journal Plus, an international physics journal published by Springer Nature, indicating it has passed peer review scrutiny. While the theory will require further examination and potential experimental tests, it represents a significant conceptual shift in how physicists might understand the most extreme environments in the universe.
