The element europium becomes a superconductor under temperature conditions of 1.8 Kelvin and a pressure of about eight hundred thousand atmospheres, thus it becomes the fifty-third element known as a superconductor and the twenty-third under conditions of high pressure.
Another element was recently added to the list of twenty-nine natural elements that are superconductors - europium.
James Schilling James S. Schilling, Professor of Physics in the Department of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and his students discovered that the element Europium becomes a superconductor under temperature conditions of 1.8 Kelvin and a pressure of about eight hundred thousand atmospheres, thus becoming the fifty-third element known as the twenty-third superconductor under conditions of high pressure.
"It's been seven years since someone discovered a new superconducting element," notes the researcher. "It becomes more and more difficult as there are fewer elements left in the periodic table."
This discovery adds knowledge and helps improve theoretical scientists' understanding of superconductivity, an understanding that could in the future lead to the development of room-temperature superconductors to be used for efficient energy storage and transport.
europium (The Wikipedia entry) belongs to the group of elements known as "rare earth elements". These elements are magnetic and therefore they are not superconductors. "Superconductivity and magnetism tend to repel each other. In order to achieve superconductivity, you have to "eliminate" the magnetism," explains the researcher.
Of the rare leads, europium is the most likely to lose its magnetism under high pressure due to its electronic structure. In their solid state, almost all rare leads are trivalent, meaning that each of their atoms is able to "release" three electrons to conduct electricity.
"However, when europium atoms are compressed to form a solid, only two free electrons remain per atom and the element remains magnetic. Applying enough pressure results in the release of a third electron and the europium metal becomes trivalent. In this state, the element is no longer magnetic, so the possibility of its becoming a superconductor under the appropriate conditions is accepted," adds the lead researcher.
The researchers used a diamond anvil to create such high pressure on a europium sample. A circular metal seal separates two contrasting diamond anvils (0.17 carats) with 0.18 millimeter diameter facets. The sample is inserted into a tiny hole in the seal and pressed by the bristles of the diamond anvils. Pressure is applied to the sample by inflating it with a stream of helium gas. Since the contact area is extremely small, a small amount of gas pressure (sixty atmospheres) creates a tremendous force (15 tons) on the sample, so that the effective pressure exerted on it is extremely high.
Superconducting materials have unique magnetic and electronic properties. There is no electrical resistance in them, so theoretically an electric current will flow through them forever, and they are diamagnetic, that is - a magnet placed above them will float in the air.
These properties can be used to create powerful magnets for medical imaging, to create power and voltage lines that carry electricity efficiently or to create more efficient power generators.
However, there are still no known materials that are superconductors at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. All materials known today as superconductors must be cooled to extremely low temperatures or compressed at high pressures.
"At normal pressure, the highest temperature at which a known material becomes a superconductor is minus 139.15 degrees Celsius. This substance is problematic because it is a mixture of five different elements. The researchers still do not understand why this material is such a good superconductor," explains the researcher.
Scientists do not have enough theoretical understanding to design an efficient combination of different elements that will become a superconductor at room temperature and normal pressure. The findings of this study provide additional information that can help in understanding the current theoretical models that explain the phenomenon of superconductivity.
"Theoretically, it is easy to understand the properties of solid elements because they consist of a single type of atoms," explains the researcher. "However, by applying pressure we are able to bring the solid into a new physical realm where our current theories have difficulty understanding it. "When we understand the behavior of the elements in these new fields, we may be able to use this to combine elements to obtain new compounds that can superconduct at higher temperatures."
18 תגובות
Note that the element europium is not a superconductor!
The above article by Matthew Debsay was pulled from the pages of PRL for two reasons:
1. They discovered that the temperature at which the effect appears is actually a side effect of the pressure chamber. The subject was tested in a reconstruction measurement and no phase transition was found at the above temperature.
2. The data published in the article was analyzed very aggressively to the point of being scientifically illegitimate to show a phase transition. The issue was examined in depth recently following false publications by a colleague of the author of the above article, Ranga Dias.
You can read about this and more in the article I published here on the science website recently and in the recorded lecture of James Hamlin who investigated the problem in the Europium article and caused it to be withdrawn:
https://youtu.be/KiGgcNR2O5o
Uncle,
Michael talks about the act of giving. It is possible to understand that in his dictionary of terms, such a noble deed indeed has 'sacredness'. That's how he interprets you for him, and that's perfectly fine.
I ask again, precisely in terms of your dictionary of terms - what does holiness matter here? Or more generally - is there holiness in science? Or does the concept relate, and must relate - only to God, and to man - as he was created in the image of God and was chosen by him ("Be holy because I am holy" and Exodus XNUMX) - if you don't say yes - to develop a sin (XNUMX!) Rubetz?
I'm not asking to argue, I'm trying to understand, because in my opinion this question has far-reaching consequences in the field of scientific perception and of course also in the field of faith.
Eddie:
David spoke in general about the practice prevalent in the scientific community to report every finding even if it has no immediate application.
In my opinion, his description of the situation - in this regard - as well as his description of its importance for the development of science is completely accurate.
The sanctity comes from the fact that it is at least to some extent an altruistic act designed to allow others to move forward from where you have arrived rather than holding your cards close to your chest in order to move there yourself.
Of course there is also a personal benefit in the matter, but this cooperation is - at least in my opinion - truly sacred.
Uncle,
Allow me to be a 'heretic': really - I didn't understand what 'sanctity' has to do with the benefit that comes from spreading the news about the element europium being superconducting?
Itzik:
David and I had a civilized conversation about things we both understood.
So okay - you didn't understand. What are you showing off?!
I didn't understand what David had to apologize for.
And Michael, what are you, the site's politrock? Is it your job to align everyone according to the line?
This is a popular science website that anyone can understand in their own way, what's nice is that you don't need in-depth knowledge to be impressed and amazed by the articles, something that brings science closer to the hearts of all people, so let's enjoy it.
So let them write in the comments that there was no evolution, I think it is possible to comment on it with jokes at most and not turn the comments into a war of nits that takes all the fun out of the site.
Uncle,
I believe most of the writers on the site feel the same way you do. But when every day another person comes in here who knowingly tells the same lies - about evolution, for example - we are already developing the skin of a rhinoceros, and like him we also attack anyone who even sounds as if he intends to start with the same mask of deception.
I think the way to mutual understanding goes through the truth, and it cannot be bypassed, as too many commenters try. Pay attention to the 'exile from his country', for example, who claims that no new species have been created in the last hundred and fifty years, not in bacteria. In another discussion it has already been made clear to him that new species of fruit flies have been created, but he allows himself to conveniently ignore this point. If he had searched the net a bit (and it's hard not to search and find), he would have discovered more than enough evidence for the creation of new species. But he sticks to what is convenient for him - and that is not the truth.
have a nice week,
Roy.
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my new blog - Another science
Uncle:
First of all - it is clear that the apology was accepted.
In fact, you justify my words because when I said that behind the joke is hidden a thought that the person really thinks, I meant in this case the thought that the word "holy" always trips fuses here.
This is an incorrect claim. The fuses blow when these words are used for completely different things and people here are not blind to the context.
By the way - you can really see that no fuse has blown in this matter.
Anyway, my words are intended (and I apologize if it sounds condescending - I don't mean to be condescending but just saying what I really meant) to help you understand yourself, others and the effect of your words on others - better.
In any case, as mentioned, the apology is accepted and there was no need for you to "come down" on yourself and your jokes for that.
Michael,
You attribute to me intentions that are really not there - I knew that the word "sacred" like "spirituality" and the like, are words that immediately blow fuses here and immediately ignite a tedious and endless debate, that's why I said that now all the scientists will jump on me - it was a complete joke! Bad joke, did I say?
In any case, I apologized sincerely, and not out of the blue!
Michael - although I try to live according to "do only good", I also make mistakes (and quite a few unfortunately) and I am always ready and willing to correct my mistakes and apologize for them when necessary (like here).
Best regards,
Uncle
Uncle:
I saw the smiley you meant so I wrote "doubt a joke" but jokes of this type usually express a thought that the writer is really thinking and just feels uncomfortable saying explicitly.
It reminds me of the story about one man who meets an acquaintance on the street and gives him a contradiction.
The acquaintance looks surprised and asks him: "What is this - joking or serious?".
"seriously!" The man answers him and the acquaintance replies: "Very good because I don't like that kind of laughter!"
Michael,
I meant it to be completely lighthearted and completely humorous! I even added a smiley for the avoidance of doubt (sometimes it does look like an emoticon and sometimes it doesn't, I don't know why, maybe it depends on the direction of his writing?).
I hope that with time we will get to know each other a little deeper than the mutual reactions, if indeed it will be so, I hope you will learn about me that I am a person who likes to laugh and likes good humor.
I admit that in many cases, from my jokes you can build several Sukkots and a large bonfire for Lag B'Omer, and probably my current humor here was a joke, and if indeed someone was hurt by it, then I apologize for that and make it clear that I had no malicious intent whatsoever!
Best regards,
Uncle
Uncle:
I still allow myself to "jump on you" only because of one thing and that is the fact that you said "now everyone will jump on me".
By saying this, you strayed from your intention to do only good, because - whether by implication or whether it was a joke - you accused "everyone" of a false accusation.
Hello Roy,
I can't tell you how much it means to me to read your comment.
All the message I have here on the site is a message of tolerance and doing good (I really try to live according to and love your neighbor as you do, turn away from evil and do only good, etc.).
I am convinced that if everyone acts like this, all of humanity will rise and rise to infinite heights (and I want to emphasize again - don't be mistaken for thinking that I am some romantic fool who sees the world as an infantile utopia - absolutely not!).
I leave the teaching of technical and scientific knowledge to people like you, you do it very well, and I enjoy it very much.
Regards and many thanks,
Uncle
And of course - Happy Shavuot everyone!
Uncle,
I couldn't have said it better myself.
I hope to continue to enjoy reading your comments. Although I don't necessarily agree with some of the things you write, they have a tone of acceptance of the other that is hard to find on websites from both 'sides' of religion and science.
Have a successful and interesting week,
Roy.
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my new blog - Another science
Let him thwart = let him look
Ori,
All these pieces of information are building blocks.
One day the next Einstein will come or just someone who will fail at everything and will suddenly receive enlightenment and know how to put all these building blocks together into something that is greater than the sum of its parts (in fact I think it happens every day in a small way), therefore it is very important that the knowledge is spread everywhere, it is truly sacred (here Now everyone will jump on me (-: ).
Ori:
First of all - the fact that it is interesting is enough.
Besides, at the end of the article, the practical implication of the research is also clarified: "When we understand the behavior of the elements in these new fields, we may be able to use this to combine elements to obtain new compounds that can be superconducting at higher temperatures."
I hope there is no need to explain the practical advantages of superconductors that allow an electric current to be conducted without any resistance (and therefore without energy loss)
what do we do with it?
What has the information contributed to humanity beyond the fact that it is interesting?