Cornell Researchers Create World's First Self-Assembled Superconductor

Ulrich Wiesner and his team at Cornell University have developed a self-assembled super conductor, niobium nitride (NbN) inside a 3D gyroidal structure. This is the first time in history that a self-assembly of superconductors has been engineered. The details of this research have been reported in the Science Advances Journal on 29th January.

The gyroid is a complex cubic structure comprising infinitely connected triply periodic minimal surfaces. Superconductors with a periodical meso-porous backbone display manipulative properties that modify various characteristics of ideal superconductors.

Gyroid
GA structure and sample/structure evolution from initial compounds to final NbN superconductors

Wiesner explained that there would be a revolution in the existing MRI technology if the team's current goal of producing superconductors at higher temperatures could be realised. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnetic Super conductors that take the help of helium and nitrogen as coolants. It is believed that by using such a superconductor, several of its applications would get a major boost in efficiency and productivity.

The current research is the output of two decades of collaborative work between Wiesner and Sol Gruner. The most significant decision was that of choosing NbN as the superconductor material. Weisner’s team had initially used organic block copolymers to structure direct sol-gel niobium oxide (Nb2O5) into three-dimensional alternating gyroid networks by solvent evaporation induced self-assembly. The group built two intertwined networks, one of which was melted in air at 450 degrees Celsius.

SEM_image
Materials Characterization

To achieve superconductivity, the NbN was slowly heated to 850 degrees Celsius in a two-step process. At first, the temperature was built up to 700 degrees Celsius and then cooled, followed by once again raising the temperature to 850 degrees Celsius.

Wiesner also elaborated that the block copolymer self-assembly is considered a hallmark of soft condensed matter physics. It can generate new types of superconducting structures and composite materials opening up scopes for sophisticated biomedical devices.

Watch 3D gyroid structure:


Sources: #-Link-Snipped-# | #-Link-Snipped-#

Replies

You are reading an archived discussion.

Related Posts

The tech world looks like it is placing confidence in a report from Korea’s Electronic Times, according to which LG Corporation is ready with its payment solution, the ‘White Card’;...
Project Abstract / Summary : In the Environmental Performance Index survey conducted by Yale University (U.S.A), India ranks a lowly 124 in the water and sanitation category with a disappointing...
Project Abstract / Summary : In this project we introduce a new system for protecting a soldiers life. Here we continously monitor soldiers heart beat,body temperature, and breath rate using...
Google has been testing a millimetre-wave radio transmission mechanism to improve wireless communication speeds. These high frequency millimetre waves can transmit data 40 times faster than 4G systems. The success...
NASA has been reportedly developing the world’s first integrated-photonic communication modem, that would eventually power various sectors including telecommunication, imaging, and manufacturing. The IP modem will be tested above the...