Evidence of superconductivity up to 236 Kelvin in a Gold & Silver nanoparticle matrix is claimed by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IIS), from Bangalore. To note is the fact that this is one of the most renowned research institutes from India.
A recent pre-print of their paper posted on arXiv describes both a transition to superconductivity and the observed diamagnetism.
As temperatures go down, superconductivity takes place, as a quantum effect due to the formation of Cooper-Pairs (electron pairs), that move through the material feeling no Ohmic resistance.
They report on measured resistance sharply dropping to zero at around 235 Kelvin, only limited by instrumental error. And diamagnetism is observed as well, which is a phenomenon observed in superconducting materials when a magnetic field is applied to it. Basically, the material reacts, expelling any magnetic field from its interior, resulting in repulsive force.
Diamagnetism - Expulsion of the Magnetic Field from the material
The system is composed by nanoparticles of Gold (Au), measuring close to 10 nanometers (nm), which have in their interior a nucleus of about 1 nanometer thick Silver (Ag) particle. A gold-coated silver particle.
Although only a pre-print has been released, it is already known that a complete version of the work has been submitted to the acclaimed Journal Nature and is currently under embargo. More about that, here
In practice, the embargo means that the team who discovered the Magic Material cannot talk about it until the Referee process is over; Which will ultimately deny it, or announce the great finding to the world.
Hopes are that the finding confirms itself, and rumors are spreading of half a dozen teams trying to duplicate the observations. Strangely enough, the work has been published for about ten days, receiving no much attention from science-journalists around the world.
Superconductivity at room temperature will certainly unleash unprecedented new technologies. Just to mention, it would make nuclear fusion (for energetic applications) much cheaper, and reliably achievable. To mention, fusion is only possible in hot plasmas, confined by strong magnetic fields in Tokamak like reactors. Today, the only way to produce strong magnetic fields is using superconducting coils, which cost a lot to cool down to -200 degree Celsius (not to mention all the machinery involved. which make the whole Fusion Reactor system to be gigantic). In a bold move, this could change current status quo of the energy production and distribution network.
Tokamak inner chamber
(Maybe the oil companies are not so happy about that)
Anyways!
This discovery is up to bring new hope to humanity.
If you get to know any new updates about it, please, post below.
Mankind needs to know about that.