Researchers make a graphene superconductor

“Graphene is the miracle cream of the physics world, with scientists all across the globe looking to unlock its powers,” Daniel Cooper reports for Engadget. “Researchers at the University of Cambridge believe they’ve found a way to transform the substance into a superconductor.”

“Superconductors are nothing new, of course, but they normally have to be cooled to very low temperatures to be effective,” Cooper reports. “In this experiment, however, the materials were left at the current temperature. ”

Cooper reports, “Now, like so many graphene projects, it’s still early days, but if it works, it could up-end the way we build electronics forever.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Breakthrough? Let’s hope!

SEE ALSO:
Apple, Google, Samsung vie for graphene patents – May 15, 2014
Graphene: The totally amazing wonder material that could revolutionize technology – May 13, 2014
New supercapacitor battery tech lasts for days, charges in seconds – November 22, 2016
Apple: We are working on new materials, new areas – June 18, 2014

8 Comments

  1. OMG that quote sounds like they have room temperature superconductivity. No, they don’t. Read the article: http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14024

    People have been depositing graphene on to all sorts of substrates since its discovery. As someone with a background and patent in the field of superconductivity, let me say this is the most over-blown scientific press release I have ever seen.

    Wow, stick graphene on a low-Tc superconductor (25 K!) and you see some superconductivity. Duuuuh.

    1. “In this experiment, however, the materials were left at the current temperature.”

      Apparently the “current” temperature was rather cold! I wondered at the use of “current” rather than “ambient” or a specific temperature value…

  2. That would be awesome if this could be used for the new JR Maglev they’re building between Tokyo and Osaka (and a plan exists between Washington and New York as well). Right now, they have to use liquid nitrogen to keep the super conductor cool enough.

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