this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2023
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[–] poopsmith 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

There is a novel material called LK-99 that was purported to be a superconductor at standard temperature/pressure, but it turns out it may not actually be a superconductor. If it were true, it would've been a revolutionary breakthrough.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LK-99

[–] givesomefucks 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It might still result in it.

Right now the process might result in a material that superconducts at room temperature, it might only have some qualities at some temperatures, or it might not have any at any temp.

There's a lot in the process that's just blind chance, eventually we might be able to influence that chance

[–] gibmiser 2 points 1 year ago

Sounds to me like the chemistry equivalent of trying to hit household objects with a hammer to make tones until you find one or make one that can shatter a wine glass.