randomaccount43543 57 points 3 years ago

Copying here this caution comment from a user on Reddit:

Non-peer reviewed, non-replicated, rushed-looking preprint, on a topic with a long history of controversy and retractions. So don't get excited yet.

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sndrtj 21 points 3 years ago

Yeah, huge grain of salt required.

But would be absolutely huge if true, and the recipe in the materials and methods is trivial. Both in equipment and materials. So someone else will try this soon, if people aren't already trying.

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fearout 6 points 3 years ago

Oh I bet there are several labs that are already on it :)

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fearout 37 points 3 years ago

So I read the paper. Here’s a tldr about how their material apparently gains its properties.

It is hypothesized that superconductivity properties emerge from very specific strains induced in the material. Hence why most of the discovered superconductors require either to be cooled down to very low temperatures, or to be under high pressure. Both shrink the material.

What this paper claims is that they have achieved a similar effect chemically by replacing some lead ions with copper ions, which are a bit smaller (87 pm for Cu vs 133 pm for Pb). This shrinks the material by 0.48%, and that added strain induces superconductivity. This is why it apparently works at room temperature — you no longer need high pressures or extreme cold to create the needed deformation.

Can’t really comment on how actually feasible or long-lasting this effect is, but it looks surprisingly promising. At least as a starting point for future experiments. Can’t wait for other labs’ reproduction attempts. If it turns out to be true, this is an extremely important and world-changing discovery.

Fingers crossed :)

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enu 13 points 3 years ago

That’s super cool! Hopefully it can be confirmed in other labs soon.

Then the next big hurdle will be figuring out a way to mass produce it in a cost-effective manner.

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sndrtj 9 points 3 years ago

What's very cool is that the recipe in the paper is trivial. It's just lead, phosphorus, and copper, fired in a kiln under a vacuum. With a couple hundred dollars of equipment, one could even attempt to make this at home (wouldn't recommend with the powdered lead tho).

So if the claim holds up true, mass producing it should be quick.

That said, the lead makes this material not fit for use for a lot of applications due to its toxicity.

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ChrisLicht 5 points 3 years ago

No, it’s room temperature.

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Chaser 2 points 3 years ago

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enu 2 points 3 years ago

Lol, you got me there :P

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enu 26 points 3 years ago

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.

If true, that would have world-changing implications. I tried looking, but didn't see a paper to go with it or a second lab to confirm it. Still, very cool and hopefully will be confirmed.

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fearout 9 points 3 years ago

Here’s the full paper

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enu 2 points 3 years ago

Thanks! Will take a look.

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ViridianNott 5 points 3 years ago

Very true that it needs to be confirmed, but worth mentioning that every paper in history was at one point or another unreviewed and uncooborated. The fact that this isn’t yet doesn’t inherently mean anything bad for the quality of the results.

I’m just a biologist so I can’t weigh in to the credibility of the paper beyond that

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JBloodthorn 8 points 3 years ago

Big, if true.

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ArchmageAzor 8 points 3 years ago

I'll believe it when science Youtubers start making videos on it.

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sndrtj 4 points 3 years ago

There already is a youtube video of the purported Meissner effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtVjGWpbE7k

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PipedLinkBot 5 points 3 years ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/watch?v=EtVjGWpbE7k

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FaceDeer 3 points 3 years ago

And this is a piece magnetically levitating. Could still be faked, but this is more than the usual "after massaging the numbers there's a trace of a barely discernible effect" stuff that you usually find in faked or otherwise misinterpreted results.

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vluz 7 points 3 years ago

If at all true this would be world-changing news.

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Hazdaz 4 points 3 years ago

Let's see other researchers replicate this. People can be hopeful amd even excited, but we need to be leery of unverified claims.

I am super glad this isn't out of China because I'd be already dismissing it.

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