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Recent theoretical studies^36,37,38 have revealed that quasicrystalline superconductors exhibit several unconventional behaviors that are typically not observed in other known superconductors in periodic and disordered systems, thus opening a new field in the research of superconductivity. Nagai³⁶ has studied superconducting tight-binding models of Penrose and Ammann – Beenker lattices (typical two-dimensional quasicrystalline lattices) and demonstrated an intrinsic vortex pinning due to spatially inhomogeneous superconducting order parameter. Such an inhomogeneous order parameter arises from the quasicrystalline structural order, and therefore, the vortex pinning occurs without an impurity or defect. Sakai et al³⁷. have investigated quasicrystalline superconductivity using an attractive Hubbard model on a Penrose lattice using the real-space dynamical mean-field theory. Unconventional spatially-extended Cooper pairs were formed; the sum of the momenta of the Cooper pair electrons was nonzero, in contrast to the zero total momentum of the Cooper pair in the conventional BCS superconductivity. Such a nonzero total momentum of the Cooper pair is also observed for the Fulde – Ferrell – Larkin – Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state previously proposed for periodic systems^39,40,41,42. However, the unconventional Cooper pairing in the model QC is completely different from the FFLO state because the Cooper pairing occurs under no magnetic field. In addition, under a high magnetic field, a state similar to the FFLO state is formed in the model QC³⁸. However, this state is also different from the conventional FFLO state in periodic systems and forms a fractal-like spatial pattern of the oscillating superconducting order parameter, which is compatible with the self-similar structural order that is possessed by the QCs. As mentioned above, many interesting features are theoretically expected for superconducting QCs, which are yet to be demonstrated experimentally, and the Ta_1.6 Te dodecagonal QC phase in the present study offers a precious platform for it.

In conclusion, polygrain Ta_1.6 Te dodecagonal QC samples were fabricated by reaction sintering. Careful phase identification of the sample was performed by electron and powder X-ray diffraction experiments and diffraction-profile simulations. The samples were subjected to electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements. The results unconditionally validate the occurrence of bulk superconductivity at a \({T}_{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}\) of ~1 K. This is the first example of superconductivity in thermodynamically stable QCs. These findings are expected to motivate further investigations into the physical properties of vdW layered quasicrystals as well as two-dimensional quasicrystals. In particular, the dodecagonal QC provides a valuable platform for the experimental demonstration of the unique superconductivity theoretically predicted for QCs.

Nanoparticles containing immiscible elements can be synthesized under certain experimental conditions.

Furthermore, the experimental values are introduced to correct the adsorption isotherms. For example, Fig. 3b shows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm obtained by fitting both the predicted and experimental adsorption data. While we use simulated datasets to address data scarcity, we can also properly introduce experimental values to correct adsorption isotherms, which helps a more quantitative prediction of adsorption performance at high-pressure where the gas-gas interaction becomes more significant. In Fig. 3b, one can observe that the corrected adsorption isotherms have a strong correlation with experimental adsorption capacity to some extent. The results exhibit that Uni-MOF not only has the ability to screen the adsorption performance of the same gas in different materials but also can accurately screen the adsorption performance of different gases in the same material (Fig. 3c, d) or at different temperatures (Fig. 3e, f).

In the foreseeable future, the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and materials science will necessitate the resolution of practical and scientific issues. Nonetheless, the attainment of process implementation by AI in the realm of machine learning techniques that entail copious amounts of data remains a formidable challenge, given the dearth of experimental data and the diverse array of synthetic technology and characterization conditions implicated. Our research has made a significant stride in materials science by incorporating operating conditions into the Uni-MOF framework to ensure data adequacy and enable screening functions that are consistent with experimental findings.

In order to showcase the predictive capabilities of Uni-MOF with regard to cross-system properties, five materials were randomly selected from each of the six systems (carbon-dioxide at 298 K, methane at 298 K, krypton at 273 K, xenon at 273 K, nitrogen at 77 K and argon at 87 K) contained in databases hMOF_MOFX_DB and CoRE_MOFX_DB, which have been thoroughly sampled in terms of temperature and pressure. The predicted and simulated values of gas adsorption uptake at varying pressures were then compared, with the results presented in Fig. 4a–f. Adsorption isotherms fitting from both Uni-MOF predictions and simulated values would artificially reduce visual errors. In order to eliminate data bias, adsorption isotherms in all cases were obtained only by simulated values. It is evident that, due to the fact that the adsorption isotherms were obtained purely through simulated values, the predicted values of adsorption uptake generated by Uni-MOF for the hMOF_MOFX_DB and CoRE_MOFX_DB databases align closely with the simulated values across all cases. This finding is further supported by the high prediction accuracy demonstrated in Fig. 2a, b.

The main researchers working on LK99-like room temperature and room pressure superconductors are in China and South Korea. There have been reports that the China researchers have successfully reproduced the weak magnetic effects indicating Meissner effect. The original South Korean team will present video evidence at the American Physical Society conference on Monday, March 4. There are new peer reviewed research paper, new preprint papers and patents being worked upon but it is unclear when those will be released.

Proof of a full and strong Meissner effect would be definitive evidence for superconductivity. The Meissner effect is a fundamental property of superconductors that distinguishes them from ordinary conductors. It refers to the complete expulsion of magnetic fields from the interior of a superconducting material when it transitions from its normal state to the superconducting state. The expulsion of magnetic fields is the result of a remarkable phenomenon known as perfect diamagnetism.

In a superconducting state, the material exhibits zero electrical resistance, allowing the unimpeded flow of electric current. When a magnetic field is applied to a superconductor, it generates circulating currents on the surface of the material. These currents create an opposing magnetic field that exactly cancels out the applied field, resulting in the expulsion of the magnetic field from the interior of the superconductor.

For years, niobium was considered an underperformer when it came to superconducting qubits. Now scientists supported by Q-NEXT have found a way to engineer a high-performing niobium-based qubit and so take advantage of niobium’s superior qualities.

When it comes to quantum technology, niobium is making a comeback.

For the past 15 years, niobium has been sitting on the bench after experiencing a few mediocre at-bats as a core qubit material.

A sodium battery developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin significantly reduces fire risks from the technology, while also relying on inexpensive, abundant materials to serve as its building blocks.

Though battery fires are rare, increased battery usage means these incidents are on the rise.

Continue reading “Fire-resistant sodium battery balances safety, cost and performance” »

A recent study from UNSW Sydney demonstrates that significant reductions in the temperatures of major cities located in hot desert climates can be achieved alongside decreases in energy expenses.

The findings, recently published in Nature Cities, detail a multi-faceted strategy to cool Saudi Arabia’s capital city by up to 4.5°C, combining highly reflective ‘super cool’ building materials developed by the High-Performance Architecture Lab with irrigated greenery and energy retrofitting measures. The study, which was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Commission of Riyadh, is the first to investigate the large-scale energy benefits of modern heat mitigation technologies when implemented in a city.

“The project demonstrates the tremendous impact advanced heat mitigation technologies and techniques can have to reduce urban overheating, decrease cooling needs, and improve lives,” says UNSW Scientia Professor Mattheos (Mat) Santamouris, Anita Lawrence Chair in High-Performance Architecture and senior author of the study.

Researchers at Mainz University have been able to visualize the third class of magnetism, called altermagnetism, in action.

Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism have long been known to scientists as two classes of magnetic order of materials. Back in 2019, researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) postulated a third class of magnetism, called altermagnetism. This altermagnetism has been the subject of heated debate among experts ever since, with some expressing doubts about its existence.

Recently, a team of experimental researchers led by Professor Hans-Joachim Elmers at JGU was able to measure for the first time at DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) an effect that is considered to be a signature of altermagnetism, thus providing evidence for the existence of this third type of magnetism. The research results were published in Science Advances.

Whether matter could engender cogitation was a very divisive topic of early modern reflection. In his polemic with Descartes, Gassendi appeared to endorse a ‘materialistic’ understanding of cognition. Two objections by Gassendi were particularly relevant to this claim: he challenged the distinction between imagination and intellect, and argued that animal and human cognition only differed quantitatively. Since the intellect was traditionally seen as immaterial, while the imagination was understood as a bodily faculty, these claims appeared to entail a naturalized image of the human soul, and the potential that matter could generate cogitation. Here, I argue that Gassendi’s claims were not only a result of his polemical vein against Descartes; rather, they were part of an intellectual agenda that Gassendi had been pursuing since the early 1620s. I then analyse Gassendi’s change of perspective in Animadversiones (1649) and Syntagma philosophicum (1658), where Gassendi presented arguments for the immateriality of the intellect and its true distinction from the imagination. I argue that Gassendi’s early objections against Descartes provided him with material to revise his own position on these subjects. I then show some of the implications of such a change of heart. Lastly, I address some hypotheses of its cause.

Whether matter in general, and vital matter in particular, could engender cogitation was a much-discussed and divisive topic of early modern reflection. Crucial to this debate was the issue of the distinction between animal and human thinking faculties. Generally, both men and animals were believed to possess imagination or phantasy—a faculty that was seen as depending on the body. Conversely, only men could perform higher thinking by virtue of their possession of the intellect; in turn, this was commonly identified with an operation of the immaterial soul. However, early modern authors sometimes downplayed these distinctions, for instance by presenting a purely materialistic explanation of the soul and of its functions. In doing so, they brought attention, whether explicitly or implicitly, to the ability of vital matter to generate cognition.