Superconductors may advance fields akin to computing chips. (File/Representational picture)
| Photo Credit: Reuters
A South Korean tutorial group mentioned on Wednesday that claims by some researchers within the nation {that a} sensible superconductor had been found have been “baseless”, citing the group’s lack of ability to duplicate the outcomes.
Superconductors are supplies that permit electrical present to move with no resistance, a property that might revolutionize energy grids in addition to advance fields akin to computing chips, the place electrical resistance acts as a pace restrict.
In July, two papers by South Korean scientists appeared on a web site utilized by scientists to share analysis earlier than formal peer evaluate and publication claiming to have discovered a superconductor dubbed LK-99.
They mentioned it labored at room temperature, which has lengthy been thought-about a holy grail for scientists. The papers sparked a social media frenzy and inventory strikes over their superconductor claims.
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However, a white paper from the Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics, revealed with the assistance of eight native laboratories, mentioned it discovered no instances displaying zero resistance or situations of the so-called Meissner impact, when superconducting materials repels a magnetic discipline.
“For the claim that LK-99 is a room-temperature, normal-pressure superconductor to be not just a claim but to be proven scientifically universal, there must be cross-measurement and replication by a third party,” the society mentioned.
Attempts by the group to duplicate the outcomes failed and Quantum Energy Research Centre, whose researchers have been among the many authors of the papers, was requested to submit samples with a view to confirm the findings however didn’t present them, the group mentioned, leaving the verification course of incomplete.
The authors of superconductor claims didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
