Physicists in China report the creation of a new high -temperature nickel -based superconductor at room pressure.
Ther Southern China Morning Post (SCMP) It reports that this development comes from researchers at South University of Science and Technology (Sstech) in Shenzhen, China. For this, the team created a thin movie for nickel oxide.
This nickel -based superconductor has been reported to achieve superconductivity above -233 ° C (minus 387 fahrenheit) at “normal pressure”. This is a rare achievement, with only Cuprates and iron materials before demonstrating this breakthrough.
“Our discoveries make the way for comprehensive nickel superconduct studies under atmospheric pressures and for a higher -conductivity examination at higher transitioning temperatures by engineering in heterostructures,” the researchers in the study document published in Journal wrote Nature.
The challenge of superconductivity
Superconductivity is when material loses all electrical resistance and ejects magnetic fields at a certain temperature.
It occurs when the material cools to a critical temperature. Traditionally, this requires extremely low temperatures, which makes it impractical for many applications.
While many substances show this behavior below -250 degrees Celsius, the real challenge is to find materials that can achieve superconductivity at higher temperatures. Those who can maintain this state of zero resistance above -233 degrees Celsius are classified as “high -temperature” superconductors.
The importance of high-temperature superconducts lies in their ability to cool with liquid nitrogen, which is far more profitable and efficient than the cooling bodies needed for standard superconductors.
So far, only copper and iron -based materials have achieved high -temperature atmospheric pressure. Nickel -based materials require enormous pressure, limiting their research and use.
“Initially, the high-temperature superconductivity of nickel can only be achieved at extremely high pressure-up to hundreds of thousands of atmospheres, which is basically equivalent to pressure inside the ground,” Coordinating author Chen Jui told CCTVS
Nickel superconductor
Sstech researchers spent three years developing a unique method to create their nickel superconductor. This material is made up of nickel, oxygen and two rare earth metals: lantanum and pigs.
They arranged these elements in a way that achieves surrounding surroundings – major progress compared to previous methods requiring exceptional pressure.
The material went into a superconducting state of about -228 degrees Celsius when formed in thin layers.
“The discovery of two -layer high -pressure nickel -laying superconducts has opened a new head in high -transition temperature superconductivity,” the study said.
“Our work allows experimental studies of the high -conductivity mechanism with increased feasibility,” he added.
According to SCMPProfessor Sue Qikun outlined the future research plans of the team. He stated that their intention to use the “unique experimental technology” they have developed to explore a wider range of materials.
They aim to further push the limits of superconductivity, in particular they strive to achieve even higher transition temperatures while maintaining normal, atmospheric pressure.
Qikun also stressed that this development is a “basic innovation” in China’s pursuit of independent experimental technologies.
Super conductors have different applications, including MRI machines, Maglev trains, energy transmission and synthesis reactors.
The findings have been reported in the magazine Nature.