A breakthrough claim in the field of superconductivity by a team of researchers in South Korea has faced substantial doubt and criticism in a recent assessment. The Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics (KSSC) has invalidated the research results from the team, stating that the data provided by the Quantum Energy Research Centre, responsible for the study, displays physical properties that deviate from the expected characteristics of a typical superconducting material.
The primary bone of contention lies in the movement displayed by the specimen in the video released by the Quantum Energy Research Centre. Skeptics argue that the observed motion could potentially be replicated using materials that are not superconductive, casting further doubt on the validity of the claims. In particular, the material at the center of the research, dubbed LK-99, fails to exhibit key characteristics of superconductivity such as zero resistivity and the Meissner effect, which involves the expulsion of a magnetic field.
Led by CEO Lee Suk-bae, the Korean research team has asserted that their compound consisting of lead, copper, phosphorus, and oxygen has the remarkable ability to superconduct at room temperature and under ambient atmospheric pressure - a highly sought-after achievement in the scientific and technological communities. However, it is important to note that the team's studies are currently only self-archived, meaning they require peer review for scientific verification.
In response to the skepticism surrounding the claims, the KSSC has established a committee to carry out an in-depth examination and validation process. The committee, led by physics professor Kim Chang-young from Seoul National University, comprises research institutes from prominent Korean universities including Korea University, Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Sungkyunkwan University.
Adding to the controversy, the Quantum Energy Research Centre has come under scrutiny for falsely naming local companies and research institutes as partners on its website. Industry giants such as Samsung SDI, SKC solmics (now known as SK enpulse), LG Innotek, Posco, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Japan's Sumimoto Corporation were erroneously listed as collaborators. Many of these companies have categorically denied any association with the research center, demanding explanations for this misappropriation of their names and logo. The Quantum Energy Research Centre's website, initially facing high traffic that caused a blockage, has now been completely shut down and displays a message stating that it is under construction.
Given the significant doubt cast on the claims made by the Korean research team and the misleading nature of the Quantum Energy Research Centre's website, the broader scientific community awaits the outcome of the committee's thorough verification process to determine the true validity of the purported room-temperature superconducting material.
