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Siberian experts create ‘superconductive’ particles at room temperature

The researchers believe that the superconductive electrical devices will make it possible to noticeably increase power, current density, and some other key characteristics of electrical networks

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Researchers from the Siberian Federal University (SFU) and the Krasnoyarsk Research Center at RAS’ Siberian Division have created particles, which demonstrate superconductive properties at room temperature, the SFU press office reported. This breakthrough opens the door to next-generation electro-technical devices. A research article on the matter was published in the Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism.

"The increase of current density and unit power, as well as the presence of unique physical features which are exclusively characteristic for superconductors, predetermine the development of superefficient electro-technical devices," Chief of UNESCO’s Research and Educational Center "New Materials and Technologies" at SFU Anatoly Lepeshev said.

Superconductivity is the ability of some materials to transmit an electric current with zero resistance. Superconductors are used to create a powerful magnetic field, for example, in maglevs, trains levitating at a magnetic cushion, in particle accelerators, and in tomography for medical diagnostics. The effect of superconductivity appears up to now only at extremely low temperatures, lower than minus (-100) degrees Centigrade.

The scientists from SFU and Krasnoyarsk Research Center applied the Arc-PVD method to synthesize particles comprised of one atom of copper and two atoms of oxygen (CuO2) which do not exist in nature. The modification has led to the appearance of superconductive properties of particles in a certain range of magnetic fields (larger than 3 kOe).

Now, the researchers have to overcome the challenge of combining the CuO2 nanoparticles into a joint material. Consequently, this substance will have a significant feature - superconductivity at room temperature, which will open wide prospects for its use.

The authors of the study note also that the superconductive electrical devices will make it possible to noticeably increase power, current density, and some other key characteristics of electrical networks. Moreover, these new devices are safer for the environment, and the costs of mass production are lower than gadgets used nowadays.