Condensed Matter Theory Center (CMTC), a research centre at the University of Maryland, has thrown cold water over a supposedly revolutionary superconducting material causing a buzz in the scientific community.
Dubbed LK99, the synthesised material developed by the South Korean Quantum Energy Research Centre is claimed to be able to conduct electricity with zero resistance at room temperature and ambient pressure.
The cited ramifications for such a breakthrough have bordered on the fantastical, with predictions of floating trains and a “utopian future where no health condition goes undiagnosed”.
More feasible applications for a true room-temperature semiconductor are faster computers, better phone batteries and more efficient nuclear fusion plants.
Alas, society may have to temper their expectations, at least according to the CMTC.
“With a great deal of sadness, we now believe that the game is over. LK99 is NOT a superconductor, not even at room temperatures (or at very low temperatures),” the centre tweeted. “It is a very highly resistive poor quality material. Period. No point in fighting with the truth. Data have spoken.”
The CMTC is not the only sceptic.
The Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics (KSSC) has been established to assess the truth of the claims put forward by the Quantum Emergy Research Centre.
“If it is verified, it will be a groundbreaking research result that will have a great impact on science and technology. However, it is worrisome that this verification is being disclosed without academic review, and that it is having economic and social impacts,” KSSC said.
More and more labs have added their voices to the growing swell of scepticism around the supposed breakthrough, heaping pressure on Quantum to make good on its claims.
When flying skateboard, you ask?
Maybe not this year…