A nickel-based superconductor has been discovered that operates at temperatures as high as 233°C (451°F) without external pressure, significantly surpassing previous records. This remarkable achievement could potentially revolutionize various industries by enabling energy transmission and storage systems to operate efficiently at higher temperatures than ever before. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
The superconductive material consists of a layered structure with alternating nickel oxide (NiO) layers interspersed with calcium-doped strontium titanate (SrTi1-xCaxO3). When cooled below its critical temperature, the compound exhibits zero electrical resistance and conducts electricity without any loss. This property is highly desirable for applications such as power transmission lines that could potentially reduce energy losses during transportation.\
The team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) led by Dr. Takashi Tanaka achieved this breakthrough through a combination of high-pressure synthesis and subsequent heat treatment techniques. They discovered the superconductive properties while investigating the electronic structure changes in these materials under extreme conditions.
This discovery not only expands our understanding of superconductivity but also opens up new possibilities for practical applications that require higher operating temperatures than current technologies allow. However, further research is needed to improve its performance and stability at such high temperatures before it can be implemented on a large scale in real-world scenarios.\
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