Superconductors Spark Frenzy - Show Potential

What is the LK-99 Superconductor?

On August 3rd, 2023, two scientists from South Korea published their discovery of the world’s first practical superconductor. They have called their superconductor LK-99, a strange material that can carry electricity at room temperature with zero resistance. The applications of such a material, including levitating trains and particle accelerators, have sparked the public’s interest.

At room temperature, most materials are met with some amount of electrical resistance. This means that a material resists the flow of energy, which causes some to be lost as heat. A common example of this is when our phones or laptops heat up—the metals of these devices are met with resistance, so some energy is given off as heat. However, superconducting materials are an exception. They conduct electricity without any resistance, so no energy is lost.

An image representing a superconductor.

Previously, superconductors were thought only to have worked at very low temperatures. This means that their application was fairly limited. For example, superconductors were used in MRI machines and some quantum computers. However, the new material that has been developed works at room temperature, an innovation that widens the usage for superconductors.

The paper that was published included instructions for recreating LK-99. The procedure involves taking lead apatite and introducing copper atoms into it. Scientists in both the United States and China repeated this process; however, varying results were achieved. One lab in China was successful, though. They posted a video on social media showing their superconductor hovering over a magnet. True superconductors can float over a magnet without spinning like a compass at any position, so this video provides proof that the methodology works. 

Other teams did not observe zero resistance; one only observed zero resistance at 110 degrees Kelvin. So, on August 10th, 2023, South Korea put together a panel of experts to verify the claims made in the paper of a true superconductor.

One of the most prominent applications for superconductors lies in the transportation industry. LK-99 can conduct electricity without resistance, so it can be used in magnetic levitation to create trains that hover over tracks. These trains have been predicted to reach 600 miles per hour, making ground transportation faster than ever. Additionally, since no energy is lost as heat, trains that utilize superconductors will not contribute to releasing excess heat into the atmosphere.

Superconductors can also be used for biological imaging. Doctors often need to see what’s happening inside a patient’s body. By using a strong superconductor, hydrogen atoms, and fat molecules within the body are forced to accept energy from the superconductor and then release this energy at a frequency that can be graphically displayed on a screen. This would give doctors a clearer view of the inside of the human body using a less invasive technique.

Ultimately, superconductors show much potential across many fields, with many unknown possibilities remaining. However, more testing and increased review are needed before materials like LK-99 can be utilized for real-world applications. However, once complete, superconductors could be the next great innovation for humans.