The wave of excitement caused by LK-99 — the purple crystal that was going to change the world — has now died down after studies showed it wasn’t a superconductor. But a question remains: would a true room-temperature superconductor be revolutionary?
The answer is that it depends — on the application, and on whether the hypothetical material also has other crucial qualities. But at least in some scientific fields, in particular those that use strong magnetic fields, better superconductors would be likely to have a huge impact.
LK-99 isn’t a superconductor — how science sleuths solved the mystery
Superconductors are materials that, at a certain temperature, begin to carry electric currents without resistance — and therefore without producing waste heat. But all confirmed superconductors exhibit the property only at low temperatures or under extreme pressures, or both. Some scientists are seeking materials in which the transition to superconductivity occurs in normal conditions, at room temperature and ambient pressure.
Although the low temperature requirements of today’s superconductors severely limit their use in everyday applications, the materials have become ubiquitous in the laboratory, where researchers can use a range of techniques to lower their temperatures. This is doable, but often adds cost and complexity to an experiment.
An extreme example is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the accelerator at CERN, Europe’s particle-physics laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland. To keep protons moving in a 27-kilometre circle, the LHC generates strong magnetic fields with superconducting coils kept at a temperature of just 1.9 kelvin (–271.25 ºC). Doing so requires a cryogenic system containing 96 tonnes of liquid helium, the largest of its kind in the world. “If you didn’t need extreme temperatures, the engineering would be simplified,” says Luca Bottura, a nuclear engineer who is a magnet researcher at CERN.
So, it stands to reason that a superconductor that works at room temperature, or close to it, would quickly revolutionize many fields of science, right? Not so fast.
Energy Efficiency: One of the most promising applications is in the field of energy transmission and storage. Superconductors with no resistance to electrical current flow could lead to highly efficient power transmission lines, reducing energy loss during distribution. This could help in creating more sustainable and efficient power grids.
Transportation: Superconducting materials could enable the development of high-speed, energy-efficient transportation systems, such as magnetically levitating trains (Maglev). These systems would have minimal energy loss and dramatically reduce travel times.
Medical Imaging: In the field of medicine, room-temperature superconductors could enhance the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, leading to higher resolution images and faster scans, which would improve diagnostics and patient care.
Quantum Computing: Superconductors could play a crucial role in advancing quantum computing technology. They could provide the stable and controlled environment necessary for the development of more powerful quantum processors.
Materials Science: Superconductors could revolutionize materials science by allowing scientists to study materials at extremely low temperatures without the need for expensive and complex cooling systems. This could lead to the discovery of new materials with unique properties.
Space Exploration: Superconductors could improve the efficiency of electrical systems in spacecraft, reducing the weight and cost of launching payloads into space. This could make space exploration more accessible and affordable.
Electromagnets: Applications of superconductors in the creation of extremely powerful electromagnets would have implications for fields like particle physics, where strong magnetic fields are required for experiments.
Environmental Impact: Room-temperature superconductors could lead to more energy-efficient technologies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of energy production and transportation.
Consumer Electronics: Superconductors could enable the development of more efficient and powerful electronic devices, leading to longer battery life and faster computing.
Scientific Discoveries: The availability of room-temperature superconductors could open up new possibilities in scientific research across various disciplines, leading to breakthroughs and discoveries that were previously unattainable.
In summary, the development of room-temperature superconductors has the potential to transform multiple scientific and technological fields, leading to more energy-efficient systems, advanced medical diagnostics, faster computing, and even new discoveries in materials science and beyond. However, it's important to note that while there have been promising developments in this area, widespread practical applications may still require further research and developments.
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