Innovative superconductor capable of conducting electrical energy without resistance is created by physicists in New York

The new superconductor material is made up of lutetium, hydrogen and nitrogen

Superconducting materials could be very useful for the evolution of technologies that already exist today. It is expected that some of these new materials will be able to conduct electric currents without wasting the energy that is transformed into heat. Recently, a group of scientists announced a major breakthrough in the sector.

The surprising discovery was made by physicists at the University of Rochester, in New York, led by researcher Ranga Dias. Disclosed by Nature magazine, the superconductor is consisting of lutetium, hydrogen and nitrogen, and can conduct electricity without resistance at 21 degrees Celsiuss.

More powerful nuclear fusion reactors could be built using the superconductor

The greatest utility of superconducting materials is their ability to conduct electrical energy without friction. However, achieving this effectiveness under practical conditions of temperature and pressure is an obstacle to the development of these conductors, which have been the object of research for physicists for a long time.

If the so-called “reddmatter” is confirmed as a real superconductor of energy by other researchers, it could be used to improve various technologies. As an example, one can cite the building more efficient computers, faster trains, and even more powerful nuclear fusion reactors.

Power superconductor looks perfect but has some cons

The new material manages to conduct electrical energy without resistance at 21 degrees Celsius, and around 10 Earth atmospheres of pressure, which is relatively low if we compare it to other superconductors that number in the millions.

The name 'reddmatter' was given to the new material due to the color change which occurs from blue to pink, while becoming a superconductor, and then to red, when it ceases to conduct energy without resistance. The conductor is produced from a gas with 99% hydrogen and 1% nitrogen placed in a pressure chamber at 200° degrees Celsius for a few days along with lutetium.

However, even though it is the closest thing to an effective superconductor, reddmatter presents some obstacles for its use, as it requires atypical pressure conditions to function. The material needs to be placed under extreme pressure under a diamond anvil to achieve its effectiveness. In addition, researchers do not know exactly how the material works.