Advancements and Challenges in Room-Temperature Superconductors
In recent years, the quest for room-temperature superconductors has seen notable developments, yet definitive confirmation remains elusive as of 2024. For reference, note that room temperature is typically considered to be in the range of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 293 to 298 Kelvin. Different sources may provide slightly varying values, with some suggesting 293 K, 296 K, or 298 K as room temperature in Kelvin[30][31].
Here is an overview of the key advancements and challenges in this field:
History of the Room Temperature Superconductor
The search for room-temperature superconductors has been an ongoing quest in physics for over a century since the discovery of superconductivity in mercury by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes[11]. While superconductivity has been observed in various materials at increasingly higher temperatures, the holy grail remains a superconductor that can operate at room temperature and ambient pressure[13]. Despite these promising developments, the search for a room-temperature superconductor that can be practically applied remains elusive. Researchers continue to explore new materials and techniques, driven by the potential impact such a discovery could have on various fields, from energy transmission to quantum computing[12][13].
- 1911: Superconductivity was first discovered in mercury at temperatures below 4.2 K (-269°C) by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes[16].
- 1933: Meissner and Ochsenfeld discovered the Meissner effect, where a superconductor expels magnetic fields from its interior[16].
- 1957: BCS theory was developed by Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer to explain superconductivity in terms of Cooper pairs[16].
- 1986: High-temperature superconductivity was discovered in copper oxide ceramics (cuprate materials) with critical temperatures up to 93 K (-180°C) by J. Georg Bednorz and K. Alex Müller, with a transition temperature of 35 K[16][14].
- 1987: This was followed by the discovery of YBCO , which could superconduct at 92 K, allowing the use of liquid nitrogen as a coolant[4].
- 2015: Superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide was reported at temperatures up to 203 K (-70°C) under high pressure by Eremets et al.[8]
- 2018: Superconductivity in lanthanum superhydride (LaH10) was reported at temperatures up to 260 K (-13°C) under high pressure by Drozdov et al.[17]
- October 2020: Researchers identified a carbon-hydrogen-sulfur material exhibiting superconductivity below 15°C under extreme pressure of 267 GPa[3][18].
- 2011: Sukbae Lee withdrew a patent for a phase-transitional material that claimed room-temperature superconductivity[20].
- March 2021: superconductivity was reported in a nickel hydride compound at temperatures up to 288 K (15°C) under high pressure[12].
- September 2022: The 2020 Nature paper claiming room temperature superconductivity in carbonaceous sulfur hydride was retracted due to issues with the data analysis[17][19].
- May 2023: AI was used at Johns Hopkins to discover a new superconductor, an alloy of zirconium, indium and nickel with a superconducting transition temperature around 9 K. This is cold, -441.47°F, nowhere near room temperature, but it demonstrated AI potential to assist the search[29].
- July 2023: Korean researchers claimed to have synthesized LK-99, a room-temperature superconductor operating at ambient pressure with superconducting temperatures up to 127°C. However, these claims await peer review and independent validation. Experts have expressed skepticism about the reliability of the measurements[13].
- July 2023: A second paper was retracted from Physical Review Letters due to suspected data fabrication[17].
- September 2023: A third paper by the authors about N-doped lutetium hydride was retracted from Nature[17].
- January 2024: Terra Quantum researchers reported achieving room-temperature superconductivity in graphite by manipulating its structure, showcasing a novel approach to this phenomenon[12].
- May 2024: Researchers in South China hinted at progress in room-temperature superconductivity research, indicating ongoing efforts in this area.[12]
So, Terra Quantum, Do We Have Room Temp SC?
In January 2024, Terra Quantum researchers achieved room-temperature superconductivity in graphite by manipulating its structure, showcasing a novel approach to this phenomenon. The team observed global room-temperature superconductivity in cleaved highly oriented pyrolytic graphite with dense arrays of nearly parallel surface line defects. This breakthrough, reported in the Advanced Quantum Technologies journal, demonstrated that the superconducting critical current is proportional to the normal state resistance, indicating a Josephson-junction like nature of the emerging superconductivity[22][24]. The discovery opens the door to transformative advancements across industries, offering possibilities like nearly lossless power grids, enhanced healthcare diagnostics, high-speed transportation, and advancements in electronics and quantum computing[24]. This achievement not only revolutionizes various sectors but also paves the way for significant technological progress with vast implications.
Challenges and Skepticism:
– Despite these advancements, skepticism and lack of independent verification persist in the field of room-temperature superconductors.
– The achievement of room-temperature superconductivity in graphite by Terra Quantum researchers has been met with skepticism and has not been independently confirmed by other researchers[3]. While Terra Quantum has reported this breakthrough in the Advanced Quantum Technologies journal, the skepticism arises from factors such as the publication in a niche journal, the need for further experimental validation, and the absence of replication by other research groups. The discovery, although groundbreaking, awaits further scrutiny and validation within the scientific community to establish its credibility and reproducibility.
– Previous claims, like LK-99 in 2023, faced criticism and were ultimately debunked as true superconductors.
– Unconfirmed reports from past decades, such as in ultrathin nanostructures and palladium hydride, lacked corroboration by other research groups.
Future Prospects:
– The pursuit of a practical room-temperature superconductor remains a significant goal in condensed matter physics.
– The scientific community continues to strive for breakthroughs in this area, recognizing the transformative potential of such a discovery for various technologies.
In conclusion, while recent advancements show promise, the definitive confirmation of a practical room-temperature superconductor is yet to be achieved. The scientific community’s persistent efforts underscore the importance of rigorous validation and replication in the pursuit of this groundbreaking advancement.
Citations
[1] https://www.sciencenews.org/article/physics-first-room-temperature-superconductor-discovery
[2] https://physicsworld.com/a/have-scientists-in-korea-discovered-the-first-room-temperature-ambient-pressure-superconductor/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room-temperature_superconductor
[4] https://www.iflscience.com/first-room-temperature-ambient-pressure-superconductor-achieved-claim-scientists-70001
[5] https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.12008
[6] https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2024/01/31/tech-bytes/graphite-room-temp-superconductor/1614.html
[7] https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2024/05/south-china-researchers-progress-on-room-temperature-superconductivity-research.html
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room-temperature_superconductor
[9] https://www.powerelectronicsnews.com/room-temperature-superconductivity-in-graphite-ushers-in-a-groundbreaking-revolution/
[10] https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/04/yet-another-superconductor-claim/
[11] http://www.superconductors.org/History.htm
[12] https://theconversation.com/scientists-have-been-researching-superconductors-for-over-a-century-but-they-have-yet-to-find-one-that-works-at-room-temperature-3-essential-reads-216806
[13] https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a44787012/room-temperature-superconductors-explained/
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_superconductivity
[15] https://theconversation.com/superconductivity-at-room-temperature-remains-elusive-a-century-after-a-nobel-went-to-the-scientist-who-demonstrated-it-below-450-degrees-fahrenheit-213959
[16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonaceous_sulfur_hydride
[17] https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/10/14/1010370/room-temperature-superconductivity/
[18] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/first-room-temperature-superconductor-excites-and-baffles-scientists/
[19] https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/room-temperature-superconductivity-finally-claimed-by-mystery-material/4012591.article
[20] https://thequantuminsider.com/2023/07/26/researchers-claim-they-developed-a-room-temperature-superconductor
[21] https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/room-temperature-superconductivity-shown-in-graphite/
[22] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/qute.202300230
[23] https://www.insidequantumtechnology.com/news-archive/quantum-news-briefs-january-25-2024-terra-quantum-scientists-publication-reveals-superconductivity-in-graphite-at-room-temperatures-rescale-ionq-launch-partnership-to-accelerate-i/
[24] https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/01/25/using-scotch-tape-and-quantum-mechanics-scientists-see-signs-of-global-room-temperature-superconductivity-in-graphite/
[25] https://www.powerelectronicsnews.com/room-temperature-superconductivity-in-graphite-ushers-in-a-groundbreaking-revolution/
[26] https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/terra-quantum-reports-room-temperature-superconductivity-potentially-enhancing-qubit-stability-for-quantum-computing/
[26] https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/28/terra-quantum-superconductor-skepticism/
[27] https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/room-temperature-superconductivity-shown-in-graphite/
[28] https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/01/25/using-scotch-tape-and-quantum-mechanics-scientists-see-signs-of-global-room-temperature-superconductivity-in-graphite/
[29] https://www.jhuapl.edu/news/news-releases/230503-ai-discovers-novel-superconductor
[30] https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_temperature
[31] https://testbook.com/question-answer/what-is-the-standard-room-temperature-in-kelvin–5cca9d07fdb8bb2b975a5e08
[32] https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-is-standard-room-temperature-in-kelvin/