5 ms·
Levitation is to be expected for any superconductor when it's in a superconducting state; that part is banal. The big question is whether it's actually a superc
by scarmig 3y ago
Levitation is to be expected for any superconductor when it's in a superconducting state; that part is banal. The big question is whether it's actually a superconductor at RTP. Their results are strong enough that it's unlikely to be a mistake, though fraud is possible too (although it is so easily uncovered given the simplicity of preparing the material and the strength of the reported effects that fraud seems almost pointless since it'll be uncovered immediately).
- CamperBob2 3y agoThe recipe in the paper is so simple that it's giving me Pons-Fleischmann vibes. It reads more like an entry from an alchemist's journal, reproducible with chemicals and equipment you could buy on eBay or Amazon. So, yeah: big if true.
- kridsdale3 3y agoSilicon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth and for thousands of years humans had no idea what would be possible with very controlled etching of it.
- Terr_ 3y agoMildly-topical Terry Pratchett amusement quote, since it involves a society that has overlooked the power of silicon plus the potential of superconductivity: > Detritus blinked. There was a tinkle of falling ice. Odd things were happening in his skull. Thoughts that normally ambulated sluggishly around his brain were suddenly springing into vibrant, coruscating life. And there seemed to be more and more of them. > 'My goodness,' he said, to no-one in particular. > This was a sufficiently un-troll-like comment that even Cuddy, whose extremities were already going numb, stared at him. > 'I do believe,' said Detritus, 'that I am genuinely cogitating. How very interesting!' > 'What do you mean?' > More ice cascaded off Detritus as he rubbed his head. > 'Of course!' he said, holding up a giant finger. 'Superconductivity!' > 'Wha'?' > 'You see? Brain of impure silicon. Problem of heat dissipation. Daytime temperature too hot, processing speed slows down, weather gets hotter, brain stops completely, trolls turn to stone until nightfall, ie, colder-temperature,however,lowertemperatureenough,brain operatesfasterand—' > [...] Detritus sat down again. Life was so simple, when you really thought about it. And he was really thinking. He was seventy-six per cent sure he was going to get at least seven degrees colder. -- Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett
- floxy 3y agoI wonder if anyone has tried to contact one of the authors to confirm the paper is legitimate (i.e. someone isn't spoofing the author's names in order to create chaos).
- guerrilla 3y agoGood thinking. I'm guessing journalists lurk here so we'll probably find out soon enough.
- gene-h 3y agoThis isn't too different from how conventional high temperature superconductors are made.[0] A converted pottery kiln can be used to make them [0]https://www.greenoptimistic.com/make-superconductor-home/ https://www.greenoptimistic.com/make-superconductor-home/
- alexb_ 3y agoJust give it to me straight - when will the levitation give us hoverboards?
- marcosdumay 3y agoAs long as you only want them to hover over a magnet...
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- BizarroLand 3y agoAssuming the lift is there or the magnets are strong enough, it would be plausible to have an electromagnetic hover skate park where you could pay by the hour, and possibly even future X-game like events where the boards and riders could move in any direction they can get acceleration in.
- Arrath 3y agoWell that would be very, very cool.
- m463 3y agoI believe I saw a video of a hoverboard that worked over a carefully constructed magnetic skatepark... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtzyZKSuls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtzyZKSuls
- skykooler 3y agoI wonder how big of a superconductor you'd need to use Earth's magnetic field.
- knicholes 3y agoI want them to have enough current passing through them in a rod shape that it will run the current against the Earth's magnetic field to cause vertical movement.