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Nanoclusters Break Superconductivity Record

KentuckyFC writes "A couple of years ago, two Russian physicists predicted that metal nanoclusters with exactly the right number of delocalized electrons (a few hundred or so) could become strong superconductors. Now an American group has found the first evidence that this prediction is correct in individual aluminium nanoclusters containing 45 or 47 atoms. And they found it at 200 K (abstract). That's a huge jump over the previous record of 138K for a high-temperature superconductor. There are a few caveats, however. The result is only partial evidence of superconductivity and the work has yet to be peer-reviewed. But its mere publication will set scientists scrambling to confirm. And 200K! That's practically room temperature in the Siberian winter."

5 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. Re:GODDAMIT by fructose · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not everyone lives in a "-ium" country. And IUAPC swings both ways. Get used to it.

  2. in soviet russia even our electrons by museumpeace · · Score: 5, Funny

    put up no resistance...

    oh never mind. the idea was Russian but the result was in the US

    --
    SLASHDOT: news for people who can't concentrate on work or have no life at all and got tired of yelling back at the TV.
  3. Dry Ice by BlueParrot · · Score: 5, Informative

    Carbon dioxide ( or dry-ice ) is bellow 195K at standard pressure, so this material wouldn't even need liquid nitrogen for cooling. If this can be made to scale it would without doubt give countless of applications.

  4. Exact? by TimothyDavis · · Score: 5, Funny

    A couple of years ago, two Russian physicists predicted that metal nanoclusters with exactly the right number of delocalized electrons (a few hundred or so) could become strong superconductors.

    That is the number range for exact ?
  5. Re:GODDAMIT by philspear · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know, if it weren't for us and our aluminum, you'd be talking about "das aluminium" right now.