Researchers in Canada and Germany have discovered a family of superconductors.
"We can show that if you put hydrogen in a molecular compound and apply high pressure, you can get superconductivity," said Professor John Tse of the University of Saskatchewan. "Validation of this hypothesis and understanding of the mechanism are initial steps for design of better super-conducting materials."
Scientist Mikhail Eremets of the Max Plank Institute in Germany did the laboratory work, detecting superconductivity in the molecular hydrides, while Tse and his student Yansun Yao provided the theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism involved, and identified the key chemical structures.
"Our research in this area is aimed at improving the critical temperature for superconductivity so that new superconductors can be operated at higher temperatures, perhaps without a refrigerant," said Tse.
According to him, it has long been hypothesised that hydrogen may be able to superconduct if it is compressed into a dense solid form, but so far the necessary density has not been achieved.
Through compressing molecular hydrides, Tse's team was able to reach the necessary density for superconductivity at lower pressure than with pure hydrogen, "an achievement that will shed greater understanding on the fundamental nature of superconductivity", said the University of Saskatchewan.