LK99 -- A new room temperature superconductor?

Sabine Hossenfelder

Room Temperature Superconductor Claims (LK-99)

Korean group claims discovery of room temperature superconductor working at atmospheric pressure
Paper published July 22nd on arXiv titled "The first room temperature ambient pressure superconductor"
Material called LK-99 (Lee and Kim, 1999 - year of first synthesis)
Claims to work at temperatures below 127°C
Three authors applied for international patent last year (published March)
Third author (Quan) uploaded paper without knowledge of first two authors
Missing measurement for drop of electric resistivity - only shows conductivity at room temperature
Second paper uploaded 2 hours later with 3 additional authors
- Contains resistivity vs temperature measurement
- Resistivity drops to non-zero value then slowly decreases (not typical superconductor behavior)
- Vertical axis units so large that standard metals would appear as zero
Original paper published April in Korean journal with all 6 authors
Video shows material floating above magnet but also attracted on other side
Material briefly falls onto magnet (attributed to defects)
Doesn't appear to show Meissner effect - more likely diamagnetic behavior
Multiple groups attempting synthesis/reproduction
Andrew McCallop live-streaming experiment on Twitch
Prediction: reproduction attempts will fail to confirm superconductivity

University of Colorado scientists made most precise measurement of electron electric dipole moment
Conclusion: new physics unlikely within Large Hadron Collider range
Method:
- Held 20,000 hafnium fluoride ions in ion trap with electric/magnetic fields
- Used lasers to create superposition of two spin states
- Measured energy difference between states (depends on electric dipole moment)
No evidence found for electric dipole contribution
Sets tighter bounds than previous measurements
Rules out conjectured new particles up to 40 TeV energies (beyond LHC capabilities)
Implications:
- Chances of LHC finding new physics decreased further
- High precision measurements cheaper than building larger colliders
Media incorrectly reported connection to matter/antimatter asymmetry
Standard model doesn't predict equal matter/antimatter amounts (time evolution is Hamiltonian)

Researchers at Arizona State University developed quantum radar for microwaves
Outperforms non-quantum radar systems
Uses quantum metrology (measurement using quantum effects)
Employs entangled photons:
- Create entangled photon pairs
- Keep one in quantum resonator
- Send other to probe target
- Compare returned photons to entangled partner
Demonstrated 20% faster radar detection vs non-quantum systems
Previous quantum advantage shown in visible spectrum, not microwaves
Microwaves more challenging due to thermal noise
Current limitation: requires dilution refrigerator operation
Not practical for UFO detection yet

University of Tokyo researchers combined 2D printing with origami
Method:
- Use commercial inkjet UV printer to create patterns on heat-sensitive plastic
- Dip sheet in hot water to self-fold into 3D objects
Benefits:
- 3x faster than previous methods
- 1000x higher resolution
- Less plastic waste than conventional 3D printing
Creates intricate geometric objects automatically

Swiss company Astrostrom submitted 269-page report to European Space Agency
Proposed solar power satellite for moon base energy supply
Design features:
- V-shaped solar panels in helix configuration
- Butterfly-like appearance when extended
- ~1 square kilometer diameter
- Located at Earth-Moon Lagrange point
Construction plan:
- Build components on moon using lunar resources
- Robot assembly in space
Power output: 23 megawatts (enough for large-scale factory)
Goal: scale up to affordable Earth energy solution

University of Copenhagen research suggests Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) collapse more imminent than believed
AMOC transports warm water north in Atlantic Ocean
Collapse effects:
- Significant temperature drop in middle/northern Europe
- Southern hemisphere warming
- Could take thousands of years to resume once stopped
Causes:
- Global warming reduces temperature difference between equator and poles
- Melting ice dilutes salt water (affects heavy water sinking)
New prediction: collapse likely around mid-century under current emissions
IPCC currently considers collapse unlikely before end of century (medium confidence)
AMOC extremely complex, partly chaotic system
Recent observations show slowing and possible approach to tipping point

Europe's first hyperloop test segment operational at Technical University of Munich
July 10th: completed first trial with construction team
24-meter long test tube, certified for passenger use
Theoretical speed: 800 km/h (4x faster than typical passenger train)
Current segment too short to reach high speeds
Research focus: magnetic levitation efficiency, vacuum performance
Hyperloop concept: magnetically levitating train in vacuum tunnel for hypersonic speeds

Environmental scientists used NASA's GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation) mission
Laser mounted on ISS, operational since 2018
Scans Earth surface with lasers, measures returns for precise height/structure measurement
Creates detailed 3D forest maps from canopy to ground
Key findings:
- Most tropical forests have peak leaf density at 15 meters (not canopy top)
- Forest structure simpler and more sun-exposed than previously thought
Applications:
- Understanding species adaptation to temperature changes
- Forest biomass and carbon storage data
- Essential for carbon cycle understanding and climate change mitigation

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