Context:
Scientists have achieved superconductivity at −122°C under normal pressure using a novel pressure quenching technique in the Hg1223 copper oxide material, breaking a 33-year-old record in superconductivity research.
Key Highlights:
- Scientific Achievement
- Superconductivity achieved at −122°C (151 K) under ambient pressure.
- Previous record: −140°C (133 K) under normal pressure (1993, same material).
- Pressure Quenching Technique (PQP)
- Involves:
- Compressing → Cooling → Rapid pressure release.
- Traps superconducting state by creating internal strain and defects.
- Material Used
- HgBa₂Ca₂Cu₃O₈+δ (Hg1223) – a cuprate superconductor.
- About 78% of the material volume exhibited superconductivity → confirms bulk property.
- Scientific Validation & Context
- Conducted by University of Houston team, led by Ching-Wu Chu.
- Increased scrutiny due to past controversies (e.g., LK-99, Ranga Dias claims).
- Applications & Potential
- Possibility of superconductors under normal conditions could transform:
- Power transmission (zero loss)
- MRI machines
- Electric motors & maglev transport
- Renewable energy grids
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Superconductivity:
- Property of zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature (Tc).
- Also exhibits Meissner Effect (expulsion of magnetic field).
- Types of Superconductors:
- Conventional (low Tc) – metals/alloys.
- High-temperature (cuprates) – operate at higher temperatures.
- Pressure Quenching:
- Technique to stabilize high-pressure phases at ambient conditions.
- Diamond Anvil Cell:
- Device used to generate extreme pressures in laboratory experiments.
- Hg1223 Superconductor:
- One of the highest Tc cuprate superconductors.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Scientific Significance:
- Moves closer to room-temperature superconductivity, a long-standing goal.
- Reduces dependence on extreme pressure conditions, enhancing practicality.
- Technological Impact:
- Can revolutionize energy efficiency by eliminating transmission losses.
- Boosts sectors like healthcare (MRI), transport, quantum computing.
- Challenges:
- Still requires very low temperatures (−122°C).
- Scalability and material stability remain concerns.
- Need for replication and validation due to past controversies.
- India’s Perspective:
- Opportunity to invest in advanced materials research & quantum technologies.
- Aligns with initiatives like National Mission on Quantum Technologies (NM-QTA).
- Way Forward:
- Enhance global collaboration in superconductivity research.
- Invest in cryogenic and materials science infrastructure.
- Focus on room-temperature and ambient-condition superconductors.
- Promote industry-academia partnerships for commercialization.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology (Emerging Technologies, Materials Science)
• Prelims – Superconductivity, Scientific Techniques, Key Materials