https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.12008 - the arxiv submission on this material.
If confirmed, it would cause an enormous disruption/revolution. It is cheap, and made basically of copper+lead.
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Researchers from South Korea report creating the first room temperature superconductor that works at normal atmospheric pressure. This is a big deal, as previously all known superconductors required extremely low temperatures or very high pressure.
The new material is called LK-99. It is made from lead, copper, phosphorus and oxygen. LK-99 was shown to have zero electrical resistance, meaning current can flow through it with no energy loss.
This was demonstrated up to temperatures of 400K or 127C (!!!). Other properties that confirm LK-99 is a superconductor include the Meissner effect (expulsion of magnetic fields) and ability to carry large electrical currents.
The researchers propose the superconductivity arises from "superconducting quantum wells" - basically very thin layers within the material where electrons can flow without resistance. These are created by distortions in the crystal structure.
If validated, this discovery could enable many new applications of superconductors, as expensive cooling is no longer needed. However, more study is needed to confirm the results. The researchers believe LK-99's structure, with networks of lead and phosphate, allows the material to maintain superconductivity at room temperature without needing high pressures.
In summary, South Korean scientists report achieving room temperature superconductivity for the first time under normal pressures, which could enable many new applications if confirmed. The effect arises from structural distortions in the novel material LK-99.
If confirmed, it would cause an enormous disruption/revolution. It is cheap, and made basically of copper+lead.
========================================
Researchers from South Korea report creating the first room temperature superconductor that works at normal atmospheric pressure. This is a big deal, as previously all known superconductors required extremely low temperatures or very high pressure.
The new material is called LK-99. It is made from lead, copper, phosphorus and oxygen. LK-99 was shown to have zero electrical resistance, meaning current can flow through it with no energy loss.
This was demonstrated up to temperatures of 400K or 127C (!!!). Other properties that confirm LK-99 is a superconductor include the Meissner effect (expulsion of magnetic fields) and ability to carry large electrical currents.
The researchers propose the superconductivity arises from "superconducting quantum wells" - basically very thin layers within the material where electrons can flow without resistance. These are created by distortions in the crystal structure.
If validated, this discovery could enable many new applications of superconductors, as expensive cooling is no longer needed. However, more study is needed to confirm the results. The researchers believe LK-99's structure, with networks of lead and phosphate, allows the material to maintain superconductivity at room temperature without needing high pressures.
In summary, South Korean scientists report achieving room temperature superconductivity for the first time under normal pressures, which could enable many new applications if confirmed. The effect arises from structural distortions in the novel material LK-99.
