LK-99: Why is the material not a superconductor? New research

Recent studies have refuted the claim of Korean scientists about the creation of superconductor LK-99, which works at room temperature. It turned out that the material exhibits only ferromagnetic properties.

Superconductor LK-99

Statement of Korean scientists

In July 2023, scientists from the Korea Quantum Energy Research Center announced the synthesis of material LK-99, which allegedly exhibited superconducting characteristics. They claimed that up to a temperature of 126.85°C, the substance had zero electrical resistance, and also exhibited the Meissner effect - pushing out the magnetic field.

LK 99 Debunking the Myth of the Superconductor of the Century

Features of the material

LK-99 is a modified lead apatite. The researchers reported no electrical resistance up to the specified temperature and weak resistance between 60 and 90 degrees Celsius. They also mentioned the material's ability to levitate over a magnet due to the Meissner effect.

LK 99 Debunking the Myth of the Superconductor of the Century

Publication and response from the scientific community

The work of Korean scientists appeared on the preprints site arXiv without prior review. The prospect of creating a superconductor that functions under normal conditions has aroused considerable interest in scientific circles. Laboratories around the world have begun replicating the experiment to verify the results.

Refutation of the original claims

Two new studies of LK-99 appeared in early August. The first, conducted by Chinese scientists, confirmed the synthesis of the material, but found that it is not a superconductor, but a ferromagnet. A second study by Indian scientists also found no signs of superconductivity at room temperature in a synthesized sample of LK-99.

Explanation of the phenomenon of levitation

Chinese researchers explained the levitation of LK-99 over a magnet by its ferromagnetic properties. The interaction of the magnetic fields of a ferromagnetic material and a magnet can cause the effect of levitation, which was mistaken for a manifestation of superconductivity.

Glossary

LK-99 is a modified lead apatite that was mistakenly considered a superconductor at room temperature temperature
Korea Quantum Energy Research Center - scientific institution where LK-99 was synthesized
arXiv - website for placement of preprints of scientific works
The Meissner effect - the phenomenon of the magnetic field being pushed out by a superconductor
CSIR-National Physical Laboratory - an Indian scientific institution, which investigated LK-99

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Answers to questions

What is LK -99 and why did it attract the attention of scientists?

LK-99 is a modified lead apatite that Korean scientists have introduced as a potential superconductor at room temperature. This caused considerable interest, as such a material could cause a revolution in technology.

What properties of LK-99 were originally claimed by Korean researchers?

Korean scientists have claimed that LK-99 exhibits zero electrical resistance up to a temperature of 126.85°C and the Meissner effect, which allows the material to levitate above a magnet.

Have the initial claims about the superconducting properties of LK-99 been confirmed?

No, further research by Chinese and Indian scientists did not confirm the superconducting properties of LK-99. Instead, the material was found to exhibit ferromagnetic properties.

How is the levitation of the LK-99 above the magnet explained?

The levitation of LK-99 over a magnet is due to its ferromagnetic properties. Ferromagnetic materials can levitate over a magnet because of the interaction of their magnetic fields, not because of the Meissner effect as originally thought.

What is the significance of the new LK-99 research results?

New research refutes initial claims of superconducting properties of LK-99 at room temperature. This highlights the importance of rigorous scrutiny of scientific results and demonstrates how the scientific community works to confirm or disprove new discoveries.

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Discussion of the topic – LK-99: Debunking the Myth of the Superconductor of the Century

2024-09-15

The article tells about recent research that refutes the claim of Korean scientists about the creation of the superconductor LK-99. The details of the experiments and the reasons why LK-99 is not a true superconductor are discussed.

Sergey Berezin
Sergey Berezin Copywriter Elbuz

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