For the first time in the world, we succeeded in synthesizing the room-temperature superconductor (Tc≥400 K, 127∘C) working at ambient pressure with a modified lead-apatite (LK-99) structure. The superconductivity of LK-99 is proved with the Critical temperature (Tc), Zero-resistivity, Critical current (Ic), Critical magnetic field (Hc), and the Meissner effect. The superconductivity of LK-99 originates from minute structural distortion by a slight volume shrinkage (0.48 %), not by external factors such as temperature and pressure. The shrinkage is caused by Cu2+ substitution of Pb2+(2) ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate and it generates the stress. It concurrently transfers to Pb(1) of the cylindrical column resulting in distortion of the cylindrical column interface, which creates superconducting quantum wells (SQWs) in the interface. The heat capacity results indicated that the new model is suitable for explaining the superconductivity of LK-99. The unique structure of LK-99 that allows the minute distorted structure to be maintained in the interfaces is the most important factor that LK-99 maintains and exhibits superconductivity at room temperatures and ambient pressure.

  • Thordros [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    1 year ago

    Wake me up when the practical applications drop. I've lived through several decades of, "This changes EVERYTHING!!!!" articles, and I'm still waiting for something to change.

    • silent_water [she/her]
      ·
      1 year ago

      this would make maglev trains significantly cheaper, faster, and more efficient. basically anything that needs powerful magnets or where high current would generate an an unacceptable amount of heat. it's applications are all in infrastructure, though, so we won't see any of it in the US.

      • WayeeCool [comrade/them]
        ·
        1 year ago

        it's applications are all in infrastructure, though, so we won't see any of it in the US

        Nah. We will see it used by the US Navy. There is a reason a lot of the funding for higher temperature super conductors comes from the US Navy. They use super conducting coils in the hulls of warships to generate a field powerful enough to protect against torpedoes and mines. Not needing to cool such systems means more electricity freed up for new toys like directed energy weapons or even more power radar.

    • EmmaGoldman [she/her, comrade/them]
      ·
      1 year ago

      Ambient temperature and pressure is the actual game-changer that could make it practical. All of the previous stuff has required supercooling, extreme pressure, or both, and all of the "this changes everything" has been based on the hope that it could provide a path to this: room temperature semiconductors.

      Practical applications would be for maglev trains, MRI machines, electrical distribution grids, electric motors, basically anything where you have magnets or really high current.